Full text of "Doctor Robert Fludd ( Robertus De Fluctibus) The English Rosicrucian Life And Writings 1902"

See other formats

DOCTOR

ROBERT

FLUDD

k i.

(■

ft?

Doctor Robert Fludd

(Robertus de Fluctibus)

i£ii0lieb IRostcrucian
LIFE AND WRITINGS

J. B. CRAVEN

RECTOR OP 8. OLAF’s EPISCOPAL CHURCH, KIRKWALL

ftlrfcwall

WILLIAM PEACE & SON

MDCCCOII

. “ Round about ,

Eyeing the light , on more than million thrones ,

Stood , eminent , whatever from our earth

Has to the skies return! d. How wide the leaves ,

Extended to their utmost, of this ROSE,

Whose lowest step embosoms such a space

Of ample radiance /” — Dante.

p,. » *v '•

I <*-*■- q2

Sac- ZlcO^O

| SOU- f f fucliVv

i I • ..... . J

DEDICATED

MY LIFE-LONG FRIEND AND COUSIN,

WALTER BROWN
(glencairn)

TRIED, PROVED, REVERED.

NOTE.

I have to acknowledge much assistance from the Rev.
John Scarth, Vicar of Bearsted and Canon of Rochester ;
and from his daughter, Miss Scarth. The Bibliography,
with the exception of three items, is an extract from
the Catalogue of Printed Books in the Library of the
Earl of Crawford (advance sheets). I owe this to Mr J. P.
Edmond, Librarian, Haigh Hall. I have also to thank
my friends, Mr R. S. Rait, Fellow of New College,
Oxford ; and Mr A. Francis Steuart, Advocate, Edinburgh,
for book searches and other kindnesses.

J. B. CRAVEN.

CONTENTS.

Chapter First. — Introductory.

John Scotus Erigena — His youth in semi -barbarous country — Ireland,
Athens, patron, Charles the Bald — 824 — Emperor Michael sends
to the West Works of Dionysius — Birth of School of the
Mystics — Erigena’s Works — Division of Nature — Universe the
extension of God — His Manifestation — Return of all Souls to
God — The Logos — Neoplatonism — Home of Christian Philoso-
phy in Alexandria — Works of Dionysius — The Divine Gloom —
Description — The Silence — Similar Thought in India— Progress
to Universal Light and Eternal Rest ... ... ... ... 1

Chapter Second.

Duns Scotus and the Schoolmen — Opinions of the Stoics — Plotinus —
all held the same Doctrine of the Ascent to God — Augustine’s
high opinion of Plotinus — Accordant with Christ’s Religion —
Hugh, Richard St. Victor — “ Via interna” — Soul, sublimated,
ascending to God — Erigena regarded as a Martyr till 1583 —
Trithemius, 1483, Abbot of Spanheim — A man of great learning
— A great adept — Deplorable state of Monastic Life — Duties of
Cellarer — Pupils — Agrippa and Paracelsus — Agrippa — of univer-
sal learning — Advised by Trithemius to keep his opinions
secret — His Works — Misfortunes and Death — Paracelsus — Born
1493 — A Physician — Love of Occultism — Professor at Basle —
Death — Works and Opinions — Macrocosm and Microcosm really

Chapter Third.

Occult Studies in England — Friar Bacon — Impostors — Forman, Dee,
and Lilly — their nostrums — Dr Richard Napier — Rector of
Lynford — had all Forman’s Secrets — His Life and Devotion —
Invocates Angels — Picture — Died praying, 1634 — Dr John
Rainoldes — Great Rabbinical Scholar— Friend of Forman — His
“ Censura Librorum ” — “The Third University” — Maier —
History — born 1568 — Works, “ Atalanta Fugiens,” “Arcana
Arcanissima,” “ Tractatus de Volucri Arborea,” &c. — Appear-
ance — Connection with Fludd — Initiates him to Rosicrncian
Society — More —a great Rabbinical Scholar — His History and
Studies

Chapter Fourth.

Robert Fludd born at Milgate, 1574 — Parish Church of Bearsted —

CONTENTS.

Description of Localities — Ancestors — Monuments — Sir Thomas
Fludd — Arms — Relations — Sir Nicholas Gilbourne — Other
Friends — Boyhood — Mother’s Death — Entered at St. John’s,
Oxford — History of that College — Opposed to Puritanism —
Buckeridge — Laud — with Fludd at St. John’s — Life in Oxford
at that time — Josephus Barbatus — an Eastern Scholar — Con-
trast between the Work of Laud and Fludd — Story of an Oxford
Scholar — Killed on Salisbury Plain... ... ... ... ... 16

Chapter Fifth.

Having Graduated, Fludd goes abroad — Travels into France — Spain —
Italy and Germany — Becomes Tutor to Charles of Loraine,
Duke of Guise ; Francis, Chevalier de Guise, Knight of Malta ;
Marquis de Orizon, &c. — Pursues at same time Studies in
Chemistry, &c. — Notes from his Works of his Journeys — Ghost
Story in Paris — A Dog Story — At Lyons — Story of a Jew who
killed a red-headed English Mariner — to produce poison — A
Cardinal buries his Mistress alive — Caused her to be bitten by
Toads, and so produces poison — At Rome makes acquaintance
of Gruterius — His History and Character — What Fludd learned
from him — Returns home — Graduates at Christ Church, Oxford
— 1605 — Quarrel with Censors of College of Physicians — 1609,
admitted Fellow — Censor — Practises Medicine in London —
Manner — Success — Harney’s Account — His History — Friendship
with Gilbert — His History — Both unmarried — Opinions on
Fludd — Objects of present work — Connection of Fludd with
Rosicrucian Society, and his Devotion and Religious Life and
Opinions... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 23

Chapter Sixth.

Secret Societies for Esoteric study — Existing from earliest times —
among Egyptians, Greeks, and Latins — Two Schools — Christian
and Arabic — Rosy Cross first mentioned, 1374 — Name of
Rosaries — Symbol of Rose — Secret, also Ineffable Bliss — Secret
Teaching handed on from time to time — Agrippa organises
Secret Society at Paris, 1507 — Rosicrucians said to be re-
organised by Paracelsus — but Society appears suddenly in
public in 1616, “ Fama Fraternitas ” — History of C. R. C. —
Rules — Death and Burial of C. R. C. — Tomb — Whole more like
a Romance than a reality — House of the Holy Ghost — The
“ Confessio,” 1615 — A Protestant Production — Followed by
Publication of “ Chymical Marriage ” — A larger work — An
“Abstruse Alchemical Treatise” — J. V. Andreas’ connection

His learning — Probably published these Tracts — Immense

Sensation caused by “ Fama ” 33

CONTENTS.

Chapter Seventh.

Michael Maier — A Friend of Fludd — Visits England, 1616 — Friends
there — Paddy and Anthony — “ Silentium Post Clamores ” —
Why Applicants for Rosy Cross Order treated with silence —

“ Universal Reformation ” — Opposition by Andrew Libau — A
Successful Chemist — His works — Fludd’s Apology for the Rosi-
crucians — First at Leyden, 1616 — Result of Maier’s Visit —
Why Fludd’s works printed abroad — Fludd studied the Cabala
since 1606 — Second Edition revised, 1617 — Described — Reprint
at. Leipsic, 1782, by “Adam Booz” 40

Chapter Eighth.

The “ Tractatus Theologo-Philosophicus,” 1617, Title — Serpents in
Skull — De Vita — Seventeen Chapters — God — the Word and
Light — Origin of Universal Life — Devil of all Darkness — Service
of Fire — Oblique Revolution — Government by the Elohim — The
Opake Body — Pan — The Abyss of Cold — The coming forth of
the Divine Word — Origin of Minerals, &c. — Fishes — Birds —
Higher Developments — Earth first of all the Temple of God —

Man formed of dust, the material of that first Temple — The
breath of life — Union with Father and Son — The Body of
Adam — Site of Paradise — Twofold — Adam only a few hours
free from sin — Advent of Christ — Mount Tabor’s Mystery — The
Vision of Elias — Dwelling of Rosicrucians — The Key of David
— De Morte — Michael and Satan — Adam destroyed by Eve —

The Imperfect — The Carnal — By the love of the body — De
Resurrectione — Second Adam supernatural — Overcomes by
obedience — Enoch and Elias — The earth to be renewed by fire
— God manifest in our flesh — What the resurrection body will
be — Fludd’s view of his time — Dark — Rosicrucians possess the
true Alchemy — The Sun in the Centre of the Vault — The
Lion of the Tribe of Judah — The Carbuncle and the Ruby ... 46

Chapter Ninth.

The “ Utriusque Cosmi Historia ” begun, 1617 — Title — Svastika — a
Sun Symbol — Macrocosm — Microcosm — Explained — Dedica-
tions — “0 Natura Naturans” — Views of Fludd on the Divine
Immanence — King James his patron — Interview — The “His-
toria ” never completed — Illustrations in the text — Described
— Circular Motion in Creation — Boehme — The Triangle the
emblem of God — Original Darkness— Illustrations — His ideas
those of Paracelsus — The separation of the lighter or purer
and the denser part of substance — “ Materia Confusa” — Chaos
-"-The three regions of the Macrocosm — The Habitation of God
before Universe created — “Darkness His Secret Place” —

Xll

CONTENTS.

“ Fiat lux ” — Clearest light, purest heat — The Abyss — The
Music of the Spheres — Aristotle — Plato — Distaff of Necessity
— Paths of the Planets — The Cross Movement of Light —
Daemons in Three Hierarchies — Composition of Daemons —
Lucifer — “Anima quid?” — Anima Mundi — Jupiter — The Starry
Heaven — The Sun — Fountain of all Life — Copernicus — Gilbert
— Ptolemaic System — Mixed Bodies — Clouds, &c. ... ... 62

Chapter Tenth.

1618 — Second part of the “Historia” — Two Editions — Title Page —
Fludd’s Personal History in the Dedication — Arithmetic — Music
— Geomancy — This part when prepared — Ideas of Letters —
Temple of Music on Mount Parnassus — Illustrations — Fludd’s
New Instrument of Music — Optics — and experiments — Painting
— Mermaids — Geometry — Figures — Military Art — Fortifications
— Plates — Motion — Machines — From the Four Elements — Time
— Dialling — Cosmography — Maps — Geomancy — History of this
— Fludd at Avignon — Uses of Geomantic Art — The Jesuits and
the Youth — The Divine Message can be given through the body. 78

Chapter Eleventh.

The second Tome of the “Historia” — in three sections — 1619 — Title
— Prefixed Thanksgiving to God — The Macrocosm — The Utter-
ance of the Praise of God — The Picture of God — Microcosm,
Picture of the Greater World — Three parts in each and corres-
pondence of these — Body of man bears marks of the Triune —
Numbers, their truth and vivific force — Point within the Circle
— God’s form purely igneous — Temple of God the Universe —
Septenary numbers — Fifth and tenth numbers — Divine Har-
mony — Devil, Author of Discord — The Anima in the Microcosm
— The “Round World” — The Centre in Man — The Organs of
Reproduction — Why is Man the Image of God ? — Harmony of
Man’s Interior — Man a Geometrical Figure — Different parts
refer to Angelic Powers — East — External Harmony of Man —
Zodiacal Signs — Result of the Divine Voice in Man — The
Pyramid — Prophecy — Demons in Human Bodies — Vision — Sleep
— Formation of Man — Passion — Paracelsian — The three parts of
man governed by the Trinity in God 86

Chapter Twelfth.

Diagram — Prophecy — May be uttered by any one attracted by the
Magnet of God — Platonic Opinion — Cacodnmions — Dagon — Baal
— Each man had a good and bad Daemon — God speaks to man
in different ways — Effect of Vegetable Growths — Odd Prescrip-
tions — Furor Divini — The Vision is Twofold — Pillar of Fire — A

CONTENTS.

Xlll

Light in a Mirror — Ethnicks have also this gift — Prophetic
Sleep — Geomancy — Other kinds of Divination — Art of Memory
— Vermiform Appliance in the Brain — Plate — Virtues and their
Emblems — Letters and their Emblems — Nativities — Astrology
— Dtemons — Seven Angels correspond to Seven Planets —
Different Ministries of Angels — Psyche — Physiognomy — Char-
acter by Colour — from walk — from stature — shape of the head
— eyes — feet — Chiromancy — The Hand — Lines and Figures —

The Pyramid ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 103

Chapter Thirteenth.

1621 — Title of second tractate of second volume — Theosophical and
Cabalistic studies of Fludd — Rainoldes — Cabala — its supposed
History — Key to real meaning of Bible among Jews — City of
Ezekiel — Zodiacal Signs in Canterbury Cathedral — Human body
shaped in temples — Symbols in Hebrew letters — The Secret of
the King — The word “ Principium ” — Letters of the Sacred
Name — Iod — the Upright includes all — The Ineffable Name —
Sephiroths — Elements — Darkness, Water, Light — The Serpent
Form — Circling itself — The wheel — Boehme — Water, the
mother — Light — Shin — Numbers in the Sacred Name — Twenty-
seven — The World an animal — Zoon — Kepler agrees with this
— The Sephiroths in Man — Conclusion ... ... ... ...117

Chapter Fourteenth.

FLUDD, MERSENNE, AND GASSENDI.

Mersenne — History — Gassendi — History — Mersenne’s Commentary
on Genesis — Attacks Fludd — Accuses him of Magic — Answers
— Gassendi more favourable to Fludd — 1622 — The Sophias cum
Moria Certamen, 1629 — Title — in four books — Fludd’s Prayer
to the Eternal Wisdom — The Summum Bonum — The Cross
and Rose on the title — A Defence of the Rosicrucians — The
Spiritual Palace — Meaning of the Rose and Cross — The word
“Magia” — Bacon and Trithemius — The Cabala — The Mystic
Wisdom — Cabala true or spurious — Fludd’s Conclusions seven
in number — The true Alchemy — Jehovah the Foundation and
Christ the Corner Stone — Defence of the Rosicrucians — They
dwell in the House of God — The House of the Holy Spirit — The
“Petra” — The Mystic Castle of Bethlehem — The Rose, why
added to the Cross — Author acknowledges his Membership — A
Letter appended — Gassendi’s “ Exercitatio ” ... ... ... 130

Chapter Fifteenth.

THE CHARGES AGAINST FLUDD BY GASSENDI, AND
FLUDD’S REPLY IN HIS “CLAVIS.”

1630 — Gassendi — Fludd charged with holding the Bible as an

CONTENTS.

XIV

Alchemical Work — The “Stone Catholic” — Soul of the World
—Breath of Angels— 1633— The “ Clavis The Title— The

Opponents dealt with — Alchemy really the division of the
true from the false — in the Laboratory of Nature — ever going
on — “ Tabernacle ” of God in the Sun — Fludd and Evolution
—“Chemists” succeed “Alchemists” — Fludd and Kepler —
Kepler’s “ Harmonices,” 1619 — Fludd criticises twenty-six
passages— The Answer, and the “ Monochordum ” — Kepler’s
Discoveries — Contrast — Cosmic Harmonies interest both —
Music to us a Divine Refrain .. ... ... ... ... 145

Chapter Sixteenth.

THE “PHILOSOPHIA SACRA,” AND “ PHILOSOPHIA

MOYSAICA.”

1626 — The “Philosophia Sacra,” Title — and Chart — Portrait of Fludd
— Description — Dedicated to Bishop Williams — The “Pre-
mium ” — Christ the Centre of True Philosophy — Moses — Pan
— Chart, “ Catoptron ” — Description — “ Meteors ” — What ? —
Angelic existences — Four Archangels’ power over Four Winds
— “ Philosophia Moysaica,” 1638 — Latin and English Editions
— Contains Fludd’s Matured Opinions on Religion and
Philosophy — Has same spirit of warm devotion — but less
learned than the “ Historia ” — The opinions of four Authors
on Fludd’s System and Works — Jennings — Waite — Hunt —
Gordon ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 154

Chapter Seventeenth.

THE MOSAICALL PHILOSOPHY.

The “ Mosaicall Philosophy” — Introductory Note — Tripartite measure
of Jacob’s Ladder — Combat of Truth and Falsehood — The
Weather Glass — Wisdom of Greeks Mundane — Twelve
“ Mysteries,” beginning of all things — Greek opinions — The
true “ Sapience,” Essence of all in God from eternity —
Rarefaction and Condensation — Central Divinity — God does
not operate of necessity — Meteorological Impressions — Clouds
and Rain — Winds — Peculiar ideas of Snow — Rivers — Sympathy
— Attraction and Coition — Nonulty and Volunty — The Unity
— Hyle or Chaos — All things ideally in God — Demigorgon —
Soul of the World — “God, form and matter” — “Everything
that existeth ” — The Essential Soul — The Ternary Number —
The Cube — Sacred Numbers — World, image of God — Diastole
— Systole — Light and Darkness — Names in the “ Sephoricall
Tree ” — Ten — These comprehend all — Angelical Irridiations —
Occult Radiations — Sympathy or Compassion — Attributes of
Greater and Lesser Soul — Magnetical nature — Heaven, Mas-
culine-Earth, Feminine — The Loadstone — Its wonderful

CONTENTS.

properties discovered — The Pole Star and the Loadstone —
Devil abuses natural things — Poisons — Charms — Claudia,

1581 — The Owl — Corporal Mummy — Four kinds — The Weapon
Salve — Conclusion ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 168

Chapter Eighteenth.

FLUDD AND FOSTER.

1631 — Foster’s “ Hoplocrismaspongus ” — History and Life of Foster —
The Weapon-Salve — Its origin — “ Man’s Mosse, blood and
fat” — Its results and application — List of those who “allow
the Unguent” — “ Eightly, Dr Fludd ” — Receipt for the
“ Unguent” — Fludd’s method of use — Foster’s “Answer” — His
choice of Titles — Armiger — All “ Caco-Magicians ” — Fludd’s
explanations — Coldness of Devil’s body — Strange Ingredients
then used in Medicine — man’s grease — earth-worms — snails —
spawn of frogs — animals’ excrements — wood lice — vipers’ flesh
— and broth — brick oil — up to 1795 — Magicians — What this
charge meant — Weemse’ Treatise — One conversant with the
Devil — He and the Devil “ wimpling” together — 1631— Fludd’s
answer appears in English — 1638, in Latin — Contents — Three
“Members,” reason of his Title — Foster’s father a barber —
Charge of being a Magician — its absurdity — Whether this curing
be Witchcraft — Explanation of cure — Ad Distans — Ointment
the Gift of God — Effect of God’s Vivifying Spirit — Effect of
the Four Winds — God’s Messengers — Sympathy between blood
on the person and on the weapon — Histories of cures given —
The Sponge Squeezed — God operateth radically on the blood
— Conclusion — Style of the two writers, Foster’s clearer than

Fludd’s ...

... 198

Chapter Nineteenth.

FLUDD’S MEDICAL WORKS : MYSTICAL AND

PRACTICAL.

The Medical Works — Fuller’s opinion of Fludd — The “Anatomise
Amphitheatrum,” 1623 — Dedicated to Bishop Thornburgh —
His History and Researches — Bread — Cuts — Wheat, Wine, and
Oil — Nature a Chemist — Copperplates — The Anatomy of the
Body — The Eye — Table Illustrative — Mystic Anatomy — The
four points have reference to different parts of the body — The
Blood — The air of the Macrocosm — Eating of Blood — Heart,
Tree of Life — Satan’s Power — The Human Sperm — The
Generative Principle — A Cloud or Breath — Michael, the Power
of God — The Brain — 1629 — “ Medicina Catholica ” dedicated to
Paddy — His History — Connection with Maier — Cause of Disease

XVI

CONTENTS.

— Preservation of Life — Plates — Nature of the Eternal Monad
— The Super-Coslestial Life — Cabalistic influences- -Influence of
the Stars — The True Light — Prayers for Health — Effect of
Elements on Health — Rules, 1631 — “ Integrum Morborum
Tractates ” — Continuation of last book — Picture of Fludd in
later life — Illustrations — Dedication to Abbot, Archbishop of
Canterbury — Laws of Rarity and Density — Experiments —
Meteors — Kinds of Disease — Stellary influences — Four Com-
pactions — Geomantia — Divination per Urinam — Diagrams —
“The “Pulsus” — Contents, Plate ... ... ... ... 215

Chapter Twentieth.

Fludd’s last Portrait — shows failure in health — His method of writing
— Orders for his Funeral — Dies, 1637 — Funeral — Buried at
Bearsted — Grave — Slab in floor — His Monument — Description
— Inscription — Translation — Milgate Chantry — Window Glass
— Described — House of Milgate — Fludd and Boehme — Fuller’s
Eulogy — Appreciation of Fludd’s life and works — Intensity of
reverence — Cabalist — Intensity of thought — Society of Rosy
Cross — Fludd and the Church of England — Sparrow’s Transla-
tion of Boehme — Hutchinson’s Theories — The “ Religio
Exculpata,” other issues — Jennings’ and Waite’s Works — The
last Representative of Fludd — Conclusion... ... ... ... 233

Appendices.

I. Bibliography ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 243

II. Fludd and Hutchinsonianism ... ... ... ... ... ... 253

III. The “ Religio Exculpata ” ... ... ... ... ... ... 256

IV. The German Edition of the “ Tractatus Apologeticus ” 257

V . Portraits of Fludd ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 258

VI. Fludd and Free Masonry ... ... ... ... ... ... 259

LIST OP ILLUSTRATIONS.

PORTRAIT OF DR ROBERT FLUDD (FROM THE ENGRAVING PREFIXED

to the “ philosophia sacra,” 1626) .... Frontispiece

the rose, from the “ summum bonum,” 1629 . . Title-Page

BEARSTED CHURCH, SHOWING MILGATE CHANTRY . . . Page 18

MACRO- ET MICROCOSMOS 64

MICROCOSM US 89

MONOCHORDUM 153

INTERIOR OF BEARSTED CHURCH ....... 234

WINDOW IN BEARSTED CHURCH 237

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD

CHAPTER I. — Introductory.

John Scotus Erigena — His youth in semi-barbarous country — Ireland,
Athens, patron, Charles the Bald — 824 — Emperor Michael sends to
the West Works of Dionysius — Birth of School of the Mystics —
Erigena’s Works — Division of Nature — Universe the extension of
God — His Manifestation — Return of all Souls to God — The Logos —
Neoplatonism — Home of Christian Philosophy in Alexandria —
Works of Dionysius — The Divine Gloom — Description — The Silence
— Similar Thought in India — Progress to Universal Light and
Eternal Rest.

fJ^HE study of Mystic Theology is said to have been
introduced into the western and northern parts of
Europe by J ohn Scotus Erigena. This extraordinary man
is believed to have been of Scoto-Irish extraction. One
writer pictures him, his lot cast in a land of confusion
and ignorance, wandering, wrapt in melancholy thought,
and burdened with unrest, amid the mountains and storms
of the rugged district of the north of Scotland, the isles of
the west, and the mists of the land of Ossianic heroes.

His lot was cast in a time when Christianity had made
little, if any, progress in the north-west of his country, and
we can well imagine the fervid youth, in all the romance of
Celtic dreaminess, wondering what should be. The ancient
religions were now discredited, and, to one of earnest dis-
position, the very idea of the eternal loss of those beloved,
gone to sleep eternal in ignorance and error, must have
been sad indeed.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

At anyrate, Erigenn- is ti’aced to Ireland, where, in the
early part of the ninth century, ancient Christianity still
flourished and sent out missionaries over the Continent of
Europe. It is said that the restless and eager student
went forth also to strange lands, and although he may have
attained the knowledge of the elements of the Greek
language in Ireland, went to Athens, where he spent years
in the study of Oriental languages, and became familiar
with Oriental modes of thought. Erigena returned to the
west, and found a liberal patron in Charles the Bald, by
whom he was made Director of the University of Paris.
“ His rare acquaintance with the Greek language, his
familiarity with the doctrines of Plato and his Alexandrian
disciples, seem to have constituted his chief claim to regal
patronage and papal censure. 55 1

In the year 824, Michael Balbus, the Greek Emperor,
sent to the Emperor Lewis a copy of the works of Dionysius,
the Areopagite, in Greek. These works were, at the request
of his patron, Charles, translated into Latin by Erigena.
The Celtic temperament of Erigena was eminent^ fitted to
be influenced by such writings, and their publication in
Latin gave birth to the famed school of the mystics, which
was to have such influence in the future history of the
west. Erigena’s great work was entitled “ On the Division
of Nature. 55 Neander has well remarked that Erigena “ was
founding a system of truth, which should repose entirely
on rational insight, and prove itself as true by an inner
necessity of reason. 55 “ The final and complete restitution
of man is the inevitable result of the incarnation of the
Logos. The universe has proceeded from God. It is but
the extension of His being, the manifestation of Himself ;
therefore must it return to Himself, not in part, but as a
whole. The predestination of anything to destruction is
but a figure of speech. All men shall be saved. Their

1 Hunt, Pantheism, 1893, p. 136. See also Miss Gardner’s “John the
Scot.” This writer concludes that Erigena was born and educated in

Ireland.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

return to God is necessary, yea, it is not a thing of time,
not an event of which we can speak as past or future. It
is something actual. In the contemplation of God it is
eternally realised, but to man the Logos became incarnate
in Jesus of Nazareth, who, by his death, resurrection, and
ascension, completed the salvation of men and angels .” 1

It has been remarked by Barthelemy St. Hilaire “ that
Dionysius and Scotus Erigena” almost entirely implanted in
the middle ages the doctrine of Neoplatonism . 2

The home of Christian philosophy was Alexandria.
But the original home of that philosophy was Athens, of
which it was said Dionysius was Bishop. There Erigena
had studied, and doubtless his translation of the four books
on the “ Ecclesiastical Hierarchy,” the “Celestial Hierarchy,”
the “ Divine Names,” and on “ Mystic Theology ” would be
a labour of love. Of these the latter is the shortest, and
consists of five chapters. The first is entitled, “ What is
the Divine Gloom ?” It commences — “ Triad supernal, both
super-God and super-Good, Guardian of the Theosophy of
Christian men, direct us aright to the super-unknown and
super-brilliant and highest summit of the mystic Oracles,
where the simple, and absolute, and changeless mysteries
of theology lie hidden within the super-luminous Gloom of
the Silence, revealing hidden things, which in its deepest
darkness shines above the most super-brilliant, and in the
altogether impalpable and invisible, fills to overflowing the
eyeless minds with glories of surpassing beauty .” 3 The
expressions which follow remind one most strongly of
similar thought in the conclusions drawn by the philoso-
phers of ancient India.

“ By the resistless and absolute ecstasy in all purity,
from thyself and all, thou will be carried on high to the
superessential ray of the Divine Darkness, when thou hast
cast away all and become free from all .” 4 So does the

1 Hunt, 146 ; Jervise, Ch. of France, i. 98, 99.

2 Parker, Dionysius, ii. , xvii. 3 Parker, Dionysius, i. 131.

4 Parker, Dionysius, i. 131.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Indian thinker regard nature, working itself free of matter,
“ upwards and onwards towards the universal light, the
formless, emotionless, sense and life exhausted, supernatural
and eternal rest.” 1

“ All life is lived for hiin, all deaths are dead.

Karma will no more make new houses.

Seeking nothing, he gains all.

Foregoing self, the Universe grows ‘ I ’

* * * *

“ All will reach the sunlight.” 2

1 Jennings’ Indian Religions, p. 31. 2 Light of Asia, Bk. 8.

. . j

CHAPTER IX.

Duns Scotus and the Schoolmen — Opinions of the Stoics — Plotinus — all
held the same Doctrine of the Ascent to God — Augustine’s high
opinion of Plotinus — Accordant with Christ’s Religion — Hugh,
Richard St. Victor — “ Via interna ” — Soul, sublimated, ascending
to God — Erigena regarded as a Martyr till 1583 — Trithemius, 1483,
Abbot of Spanheim — A man of great learning — A great adept —
Deplorable state of Monastic Life — Duties of Cellarer — Pupils —
Agrippa and Paracelsus — Agrippa — of universal learning — Advised
by Trithemius to keep his opinions secret — His Works — Mis-
fortunes and Death — Paracelsus — Born 1493 — A Physician — Love of
Occultism — Professor at Basle — Death — Works and Opinions —
Macrocosm and Microcosm really one.

,,r PHE subtle doctor,” Duns Scotus, the great opponent
of Aquinas, was in real relation with the mystic
teaching of Erigena. “ The primary matter, which is God,
must be throughout all things. This is accomplished by its
being divided into three kinds — the universal, which is in
all things ; the secondary, which partakes of both the
corruptible and incorruptible ; and the tertiary, which is
distributed among all things given to change . . . The

platonic idea of a real participation of Deity in the soul of
man pervaded the speculations” of the schoolmen . 1 The
Stoic “ taught also that the Deity is an all-pervading spirit,
animating the universe, and revealed with especial clearness
in the soul of man ; and he concluded that all men are
fellow-members of a single body, united by participation in
the same Divine spirit.” 2 The conclusion of Plotinus is
but the same : — “ The soul advances in its ascent towards
God, until being raised above everything alien, it sees face

1 Hunt, Essay, 161-2. 2 Lecky, History of European Morals, i. 239,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

to face, in His simplicity, and in all His Purity, Him upon
whom all hangs, to whom all aspire, from whom all hold
existence, life, and thought.’' Every man ought to begin
by rendering himself divine and beautiful, to obtain a
vision of the beautiful and the Deity. Well might S.
Augustine say that, “ with the change of a few words,
Plotinus became accordant with Christ’s religion.” 1

The mystics “ attained a position of high renown and
influence at Paris towards the close of the twelfth century.
Here two of the ablest expositors of the learning of the
middle ages, Hugh and Richard of St. Victor, initiated
crowds of ardent disciples into the mysteries of the c via
interna ’ and of ‘ pure love,’ that marvellous quality by
which the soul, sublimated and etherealised, ascends into
the very presence chamber .of the King of Kings, which is
the bond of ecstatic and indissoluble union between the
creature and the Creator.” 2

Seclusion in religious houses undoubtedly contributes to
deep mystic thought and expression. Although Erigena
was not condemned by the Church, he was blamed for
issuing the works of Dionysius without authority. Yet
feeling, gratitude, and admiration for his opening of the
gates of the mystic gardens of the trees of knowledge were
so strong that, “ until the year 1583, both the French and
English martyrologies celebrated him as a holy martyr.”
His great work on “ The Division of Nature ” remained
uncensured till the time of Honorius III., in the thirteenth
century.

In the middle of the fifteenth century a very remarkable
man was born near Treves. This was John Trithemius,
who, after having studied in the Universities of Treves and
Heidleberg, became a monk in the Abbey of Spanheim of
the order of St. Benedict. In 1483 he was chosen abbot of
the same house. Subsequently he became abbot of a
monastery in the town of Wurtzburg, where he died in
1518. Trithemius was one of the most learned men of his

1 Parker, Dionysius, ii. xiv., xv. 2 Jervise, Ch. of France, i. 99.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

age, or indeed of any age. In philosophy, mathematics,
poetry, history, the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages,
he was excelled by none. He was the author of a great
number of works of different kinds, 1 and has been regarded
as “ one of the greatest adepts of magic, alchemy, and
astrology.” 2 Trithemius found the state of monastic life
deplorable. He wrote many volumes relating to the
spiritual and sacerdotal life. He endeavoured, to the
utmost of his power, to bring about a reformation of
manners amongst those under his charge. In an exhortation
delivered to his monks at Spanheim, in the year 1486, he
thus refers to the duties of the cellarer of the monastery : —
“ Let him look on the vessels of the monastery and all its
property as if they were the consecrated vessels of the
altar.” 3

Two of the most famous pupils of Trithemius were
Cornelius Agrippa and Paracelsus.

Henry Cornelius Agrippa von Nettisheim was born at
Cologne in 1486. His family belonged to the noble class.
From a very early age, he tells us, he “ was possessed with
a curiosity concerning mysteries.” His learning became of
almost universal extent. 4 Trithemius became his teacher,
friend, and confidant. His three books of occult philosophy
were submitted in MS. to the learned abbot. “ There was
scarcely a scholar or patron of scholars living in his day
whose life could be told without naming Trithemius.” He
was the first who told the strange story of Dr Faustus.
He had collected a rare library for those days of 2000
volumes. To Trithemius Agrippa sent his work, and in
answer, the abbot, while praising his efforts, advised him
to speak “ of things lofty and secret only to the loftiest and
the most private of your friends. Hay to an ox and sugar
to a parrot ; rightly interpret this, lest you, as some others
have been, be trampled down by oxen.” This answer is

1 Dupin, 15th Cy., 102.

2 Hartmann’s Life of Paracelsus, 4.

3 Maitland, Dark Ages, 290.

4 Morley’s Agrippa, i. 22 ; Isis Unveiled, ii, 20.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

dated from Wurtzburg, April 8, 1510. 1 Eventually, certain
of the private MSS. of Trithemius appear to have come by
testament to Agrippa. 2 The hint just quoted may be to
us, too, a hint that at that time the study of mysticism and
occultism had in their deeper recesses become matters for
investigation, not merely by individuals but by private
associations, which became then, and probably were
primarily, secret societies. Agrippa exhausted all occult
learning as then accessible. Knowledge bred weariness,
and satiety became the parent of uncertainty. When forty
years old he produced his “ De incertitudine et vanitate
scientiarium declamatio invectiva.” At the end of the
“ Capita,” he writes : — “ Nullis hie parcet Agrippa, con-
temnit, scit, nescit, flet, ridet, irascitur, insectatur, carpit
omnia. Ipse philosophus, daemon, heros, deus et omnia.” 3
The men who brought Agrippa into trouble during his life
were “ the meaner classes of the monks.” We need not be
surprised at his bitterness. Starting in life with the
highest hopes, at the age of forty-eight he seems almost to
have lived in vain. His hopes were gone, his home deserted
by a faithless wife, and the Emperor affronted by his book
on the vanity of the sciences. Penniless and homeless, he
eventually died at Grenoble in actual want. Even beyond
death he was persecuted by his relentless enemies. The
epitaph, well-known, which was his fate, recounts that
“ Alecto collects the ashes, mixes them with aconite, and
gives the welcome offering to be devoured by the Stygian
Dog.” 4

In Agrippa we find the same thought which is revealed
to us by Dionysius, Erigena, and the older mystic writers.
“ The Human Soul possesses,” he says, “ from the fact of its
being of the same essence as all creation, a marvellous
power. One who possesses the secret is enabled to rise as
high as his imagination will carry him ; but he does that

1 Morley, i. 213-221. 2 Morley, ii. 78.

3 Edition, <c Apud Eucharium Agrippinatem,” 1531, Svo.

4 Morley’s Life, ii. 312-20.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

only on the condition of becoming closely united to this
universal force.” 1 There is, he says in his first book of
occult philosophy, “ no regular philosophy that is not
natural, mathematical, or theological. . . . These three

principal faculties natural magic joins and comprehends ;
there is no true magic apart from any one. Therefore this
was esteemed by the ancients as the highest and most
sacred philosophy. . . . It is well known that Pytha-

goras and Plato went to the prophets of Memphis to learn
it, and travelled through almost all Syria, Egypt, India,
and the schools of the Chaldeans, that they might not be
ignorant of the most sacred memorials and records of
magic, as also that they might be embued with Divine
things.” 2

The character of Agrippa was badly balanced. Enthu-
siastic, learned, noble, generous, brave, determined, full of
eager curiosity, like other investigators into mystic and
recondite subjects, he failed to realise that the world
around was, in many respects, false, sordid, and extremely
calculating, and hateful of those who seem by research and
labour to cast any, even the slightest, reflection on its
hollow pretences and feeble life. Bitterness was not
natural to him, but he had not the gift so necessary to those
who would live above its poverty of thought. “ He was
unable to abase his soul below the level to which God had
raised it.” 3

Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombast of Hohen-
heim was born near the city of Zurich in the year 1493.
Like Agrippa, Paracelsus was a descendent of an old and
celebrated family. His father was a relation of the Grand
Master of the Order of the Knights of St. John. The
father of Paracelsus was a physician, who taught him the
rudiments of alchemy, surgery, and medicine. After
attendance at the University of Basle, he received instruc-

1 De Occulta Philosophia, quoted, Isis Revealed, i. 280.

2 De Occulta Philosophia, quoted by Morley, i. 116,

3 Morley, ii. 312.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

tion from Trithemius, “and it was under this teacher that
his talents for the study of occultism were especially
cultivated and brought into practical use. His love for the
occult sciences led him into the laboratory of the rich
Sigismund Fugger, at Schwartz, in Tyrol, who, like the
abbot, was a celebrated alchemist.” 1 Then, like Erigena of
old, he travelled a good deal. From Russia, it is said, he
went to India, and also visited Constantinople about the
year 1521. He was all his life a wanderer, willing to learn
from the most unlikely and vulgar sources. In 1525,
Paracelsus went to Basle. He was appointed Professor of
Medicine and Surgery there, but falling into some disputes
with the other medical men and the apothecaries of the
city, he had to leave, resuming his former strolling life.
Being invited to Salzburg by the Prince Palatine, he died
there in 1541, after a short sickness, the event not free from
suspicion of murder. Paracelsus was a firm believer in the
doctrine of Christianity. “ Faith,” he says, " is a luminous
star that leads the honest seeker into the mysteries of
nature. You must seek your point of gravity in God, and
put your trust into an honest, divine, sincere, pure and
strong faith, and cling to it with your whole heart, soul,
sense, and thought, full of love and confidence. If you
possess such a faith, God (wisdom) will not withhold his
truth from you, but will reveal his works to you, credibly,
visibly, and consolingly.” 2

“ All spring from the mysterium magnum, which is
eternal life, and therefore the spiritual elements, and all the
beings that have been formed of such elements, must be
eternal ; just as a flower consists of elements similar to
those of the plant on which it grows. Nature, being the
universe, is one, and its origin can be only one eternal
unity. It is an organism in which all natural things
harmonize and sympathise with each other. It is the
macrocosm. Everything is the product of one universal

1 Hartmann, Life of Paracelsus, 4.

2 Hartmann’s Paracelsus, 12.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

creative effort ; the macrocosm and man (the microcosm)
are one. They are one constellation, one influence, one
breath, one harmony, one time, one metal, one fruit.” 1
Such were the two great pupils of Trithemius.

1 Hartmann’s Paracelsus, 43-4.

CHAPTER III.

Occult Studies in England — Friar Bacon — Impostors — Forman, Dee, and
Lilly — their nostrums — Dr Richard Napier — Rector of Lynford —
had all Forman’s Secrets — His Life and Devotion — Invocates Angels
— Picture — Died praying, 1634 — Dr John Rainoldes — Great Rab-
binical Scholar— Friend of Forman — His “Censura Librorum ” —
“The Third University” — Maier — History — born 1568 — Works,
“ Atalanta Fugiens,” “Arcana Arcanissima,” “ Tractatus de
Yolucri Arborea,” &c. — Appearance — Connection with Fludd —
Initiates him to Rosicrucian Society — More —a great Rabbinical
Scholar — His History and Studies.

HHHE earlier history of occult studies in England is one of
imposture and shame. If we except the efforts of
Friar Bacon, whose ideas and experiments, so far as we
can understand them, were more serious and genuine than
the rest, what can we say of Forman, Dee, and Lilly ?
That these philosophers had attained some mystic and
occult knowledge we need not doubt, but what were the
uses they put it to ? Dee, although a favourite with
Elizabeth, was little better than an impostor, and Forman
was one who supplied lovers with “potions which should
soften obdurate hearts, and married women with drugs to
relieve them of the reproach of sterility ; rakes who desired
to corrupt virtue, and impatient heirs who longed for
immediate possession of their fortunes, with compounds
which should enfeeble, or even kill/’ Forman died in
161 1. 1 It is said that he visited Portugal, the Low
Countries, and the East to improve his knowledge of
astrology, astronomy, and medicine. 2 One of his pupils

1 Davenport Adams’ Witch, Warlock, and Magician, 105.

2 Davenport Adams’ Witch, Warlock, and Magician, 104.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

was a person of a very different character. Dr Richard
Napier, rector of Lynford, and graduate of the University
of Cambridge, had all Forman’s “rarities and secret MSS.,”
and proved “ a singular astrologer and physician.” He had
“ a library excellently furnished with very choice books.”
“ He instructed many ministers in astrology, and would
lend them whole cloke-bags of books.” John Aubrey tells
that he was “ a person of great abstinence, innocence, and
piety ; he spent every day two hours in family prayer.”
He “ invocated several angels in his prayers, viz., Michael,
Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, &c.” His portrait, preserved in
the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, shows him as a person
of very “ occult” appearance. “ He dyed praying upon his
knees, being of a great age, 1634, April the first.” His
nephew, Sir Richard Napier, was one of the first members
of the Royal Society. 1

Napier corresponded frequently with Forman. The
latter “ used much tautology, as you may see if you’ll read
a great book of Dr Robert Flood [in Musseo Ashmoleano],
who had it all from the MSS. of Forman.” 2 Thus it is seen
that Forman, Napier, and Fludd formed a sort of succession,
especially in astrological and geomantic studies.

One of the greatest of scholars in Rabbinical learning
and curious questions at this time was Dr John Rainoldes
(1549-1607), President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford,
the college of J ewel and Hooker. He was known as “ the
living library,” and as “ the third University of England.”
His great work, printed after his death, is entitled —
“ Censura Librorum Apocryphorum Veteris Testamenti.”
“ Rainoldes’ work is of permanent value. It is indeed a
great storehouse of curious learning — biblical, historical,
chronological, rabbinical, patristic, scholastic.” Like many
of the works of that kind, it was printed at Oppenheim,
and appeared in 1611. 2 vols., 4to. 3

. 1 Memoirs of Merchiston, 238-241.

2 Wood’s Athense, ii. 100.

3 Dowden’s Paddock Lectures, 72-4.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Meanwhile, in Germany, a famous alchemist and scholar
in curious lore was beginning to attract notice. This was
Michael Maier, who was born at Ruidsburg, in Holstein,
about the year 1568. Having studied medicine, he settled
at Rostock, and practiced so successfully that he became
physician to the Emperor Rudolph. He became a volumin-
ous and ingenious writer. “ The most curious of them all
is ‘ Atalanta Fugiens,’ which abounds with quaint and
mystical copperplate engravings, emblematically revealing
the most unsearchable secrets of nature.” Some of his
works are of a purely alchemical nature. 1

One of the most curious of Maier’s works is entitled —
“ Arcana Arcanissima hoc est Hieroglyphica Egyptio-
Grseca, &c.” In another he treats “ Sur la resurrection du
Phenix.” In 1619 he published at Frankfurt — “ Tractatus
de Volucri Arborea, absque Patre et Matre, in Insulis
Orcadum.” 2 Maier’s “ Septimana Philosophica,” 1620, is
dedicated to the Archbishop of Magdeburg, and has his
portrait inserted. He appears as a rather small person of
not at all attractive appearance. The work consists of sup-
posed philosophical conversations between King Solomon,
the Queen of Sheba, and Hyram, Prince of Tyre.

But the most interesting fact in the life of Maier is that
when visiting England, which he appears to have done
more than once, he made the acquaintance of Robert Fludd
in London, and, it is said, initiated him into the Society of
the Rosy Cross, of which he was an enthusiastic member.
Of this, and of the works published by him in defence of
that society, and of efforts on behalf of it, particulars will
be given further on.

Robert Fludd and Henry More were the two greatest
Rabbinical students of their time. Before proceeding
with the history of the life of Fludd, it may not be
out of place to give a few particulars of the life of More.

1 Jennings’ Rosicrucians, 268, &c. ; Waite’s Lives of Alchemystical
Philosophers, 160, 161.

2 Irving’s “ Literary Scotchmen,” i. 7.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

He was younger than Fludd, being born in 1614. Edu-
cated at Eton and Christ’s College in Cambridge, he
graduated from the same college to which the illustrious
Joseph Mede belonged. More was a great student of the
“ Platonic writers and mystic divines, such as Marsilius,
Ficinus, Plotinus, Trismegistus, &c., where his enthusiasm
appears to have been highly gratified.” He believed “ that
the true principles of divine philosophy were to be found in
the writings of the Platonists. At the same time he was
persuaded that the ancient Cabbalistic philosophy sprang
from the same fountain. . . . His temper was naturally

grave and thoughtful, but, at the same time, he could relax
into gay conversation and pleasantry.” Bishop Burnet
describes him as <c an open-hearted and sincere Christian
philosopher, who studied to establish men in the great
principles of religion against atheism.” 1 Dr More declined
all church preferment.

1 Chalmers’ Biog. Dicty. Art. — Dr Henry More.

CHAPTER IV.

Robert Fludd born at Milgate, 1574 — Parish Church of Bearsted —
Description of Localities — Ancestors — Monuments — Sir Thomas
Fludd — Arms — Relations — Sir Nicholas Gilbourne — Other Friends
— Boyhood — Mother’s Death — Entered at St. John’s, Oxford —
History of that College — Opposed to Puritanism — Buckeridge —
Laud — with Fludd at St. John’s — Life in Oxford at that time —
Josephus Barbatus — an Eastern Scholar — Contrast between the
Work of Laud and Fludd — Story of an Oxford Scholar — Killed on
Salisbury Plain.

ROBERT FLUDD was born at Milgate House, in the
parish of Bearsted and county of Kent, in the year
1574. Unfortunately, the earlier baptismal and other
registers of that parish are not now extant. The oldest
now extant, and that is in a fragmentary state, commences
in the year 1653. Bearsted is a parish not far from Maid-
stone. The parish church, where Fludd and his ancestors
lie buried in the Milgate chantry, is close by the village
green, not far from the railway station of Bearsted. The
church itself is old, and at the west end is a large square
tower, covered with masses of ivy. “ The rustic impression
and deep country silence befit that spot, where one of the
most extraordinary thinkers on the English roll of original
men lies at rest.” 1 Not far off stands the more modern
house of Milgate. A valley intervenes between the church
and the manor house. In the valley is the site where it is
understood the old Court of Witenagamote assembled from
the earliest dawn of English history. Milgate House is
approached through an avenue of magnificent old trees, and
“ one corner of the old manor place of Milgate is said still

1 Jennings’ Rosicrucians, 362.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

to remain built in the manor house erected on its site when
the old house fell into ruins .” 1 A sluggish stream flows
near to the house. In the Church of Bearsted, the north
aisle contains the Milgatc chantry or chapel. In it are the
seats and monuments of the Fludd family. The race was
of Welsh origin, and came originally from Shropshire. At
the beginning of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, “ George Stone-
house of Milgate alienated this scat to Thomas Fludd,
Esquire, afterwards knighted, and who considerably im-
proved and augmented it .” 2 A monument erected in
memory of Thomas Fludd, his wife and family, by their
son, the subject of this monograph, which had fallen into
decay, has been pieced together, set in cement, and placed
in the south wall of the tower of Bearsted Church, opposite
to which is the marble monument of Robert Fludd, which
originally stood by the altar rails on the south side of the
chancel. The inscription on the older monument may be
made out as follows : —

“ Vivit post funera.

“ Sr. Thomas Fludd of Milgate, Knight, [being of a g] entile familie in
the Countie of Shropshire, and being bu [t a younger br] other, was in his
youth made victualer, first of Barwick and then of New-Haven in France,
being both of them garrison t [owns]. He was by the Queene Elizabeth her
voluntary election made R [eeei] vour of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, and
afterwards was chosen treasurer of that English Army which was sent by
her Majestic in the ayde of Henry IV., Ivinge of France, under the
conducte of that renowned Generali, ye Lord Willowbi [e, in which]
service he behaved himself so ■worthily that he was [invest] ed with the
order of k [ni] ghthood, and after his returne into [England was m] ade
Treasurer of all her Majestie’s forces in the Lowe [count] ries, and for his
particnl [a] r employment he was constant in the [comm] ission of the
Peace in the c [oun] ty wherein he lived. Also he was [in the go] od
opinion not o [nl] y of the inhabitants thereof, but also of her [Majestie].
He maried one [E] lizabeth Andros, a gentlewoman, whose family [was] of
[Taunt] on, in So [m] ersetshire, and by her had diverse children,
na [m] ely, [six] sons [th] at lived, Edw [a] rd, Thomas, William, John,
Robert, and Philipp ; whereo [f] Edward was married unto a daughter of
Sr. Michael Sands of Thr [o] wly, in Kent, Knight ; and Thomas tooke to
wif the daughter of Living B [o] fkin of Otham, Esquire. Of daughters
which lived he had [two, Cathe] rine and Sarah, whereof the first was
married unto Sr. [Nicho] las Gilburne of Charing, Knight ; and the
second to Thomas Luns [ford, E] squire. To conclude, being dearly
beloved of both of the ri [eh and p] oore for honest dealing and good
hospitali [ty, at last by de] ath was i [nvest] ed of [ . . ] an [other] life,

de [pa] rted this lif the [ th], and his lat [e wife] doc lye interred in
this [church],

1 Waite, Rosicrucians, 2S4. 2 Waite, Rosicrucians, 284.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

“ Ye gentle spirits whieh [hover in this hou] se,

Within the bosome of this [saere] cl ayre,

[ • . . ] witness his duty, who hat [h ever] been

[Most tr] uthful lover of those s [leeper] s fayre,

[ • • • ] whieh gave him life, and tell them that his ehoice desire

[Was] first to reare their monuments and then expire.”

Sir Thomas Fludd died March 30, 1607. In the Mil^ate
chantry, in Bearsted Church, still stands a monument

Bearsted Chureh, showing Milgate Chantry.

to Elizabeth Andros, the wife of Sir Thomas Fludd. It
refers to “ what her matchless industry in housekeeping
was, and how amply she expressed herself in the entertain-
ment of her friends, and in what laudable manner her
hospitality was extended to the poor, we need not to
express in writing, being that the essential characters
thereof are engraven to this very day in the hearts of such
as are yet living who were conversant Avith her in her
life. She changed this mortal life for an immortal the 25th
day of January 1591.”

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

“ Accept, 0 blessed soul, as sacrifice,

A filial signal of obedience,

And let this marble memorie suffice,

Altho’ but in a part of recompense,

To manifest the loyal duty of your sonne,

Before his toilsome pilgrimage of life be done.”

This monument to his mother was also erected by
Robert Fludd.

Sir Thomas Fludd was also Treasurer of the Cinque
Ports. “ He bore for his arms: — Vert., a chevron between
three wolves’ heads erased, argent ; which coat, with his
quartering^, was confirmed to him by Robert Cook, Clar.,
Nov. 10, 1572.” 1 From the monument it appears, then,
that Robert was the fifth of the “ sons that lived.” He
refers to his descent in the dispute with Foster, thus : —
“ And now I will express the cause, why I put the Esquier
before the Doctor. It is for two considerations : first,
because I was an Esquier, and gave arms before I was a
Doctor, as being a knight’s sonne ; next, because, though a
Doctor addeth gentilitie to the person, who by descent is
ignoble ; yet it is the opinion of most men, and especially
of Heraulds, that a gentleman of antiquitie is to be pre-
ferred before any one of the first head or degree ; and
verily, for mine oune part, I had rather bee without any
degree in Vniversitie than lose the honour was left me by
my ancestors.” 2 Fludd several times refers to Sir Nicholas
Gilbourne, who married his sister. He calls him “ judicious,
religious, and learned.” Sir Nicholas appears in the com-
pany “ of very good and learned Divines,” with “ Lady
Ralegh at Eastwell at the Countesse of Winch elsey her
house ” ; also assisting at compounding of weapon salve
ointment, and helping to cure various persons therewith,
including a boy, “ Brent Deering (the sonne of Master
Finsh Deeringj,” who having gone “ into a pond to seeke
for fish, . . had a Reed runne into the calf of his leg.” 3

We know nothing of the boyhood and earlier life of

1 Waite’s Rosicrucians, 284.

2 The Squeesing of Parson Foster’s Sponge, p. G.

3 The Squeesing of Parson Foster’s Sponge, 108-111, 131.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Fludd. The parish of Bearsted seems then to have had no
resident vicar. It was served by clergy from the neigh-
bouring parish of Leeds. Henry Pawson (1614) appears to
have been the first resident incumbent.

At the age of seventeen, Fludd lost his mother, and the
same year was entered at S. John’s College, Oxford. He
graduated B.A., 3rd February 1596-7, and M.A., 8th July
1598. The College of S. John the Baptist at Oxford was a
new foundation, having been founded by Sir Thomas White,
a London merchant, who had been knighted by Queen Mary.
It was “ settled in the buildings of an old Cistertian house.
The hall and chapel were those of the monastery ; the fine
old cellars also belonged to the older days, and there still
stood the statue of the holy Bernard over the door.” 1 The
spirit of the new colleges of Trinity and S. John “ was
supposed to be rather in the direction of a variety of
knowledge, than of theology and the classics.” 2 The
College of S. John was at this time under the able super-
intendence of John Buckeridge, afterwards its president, and
successively Bishop of Rochester and Ely. Buckeridge “ was
distinguished for his zealous attachment to the Church of
England, particularly in opposition to the Puritans.” 3 “ A

person he was,” says Anthony A. Wood, “ of great gravity
and learning.” He taught his pupils to found their theo-
logical studies “ upon the noble foundations of fathers,
councils, and ecclesiastical histories,” and “ to stand boldly
opposed to the dominant Calvinism of the University.” 4
One of the other great lights of learning at this time at
Oxford was Dr John Rainoldes, the President of Corpus,
to whose Rabbinical studies reference has already been
made. But a far greater man was entered at S. J ohn’s on
October 17, 1589, two years before Fludd came there. This
was William Laud, subsequently president of that college,
its greatest benefactor and lifelong friend, afterwards Arch-
bishop of Canterbury. Fludd and Laud were then at the

1 Hutton, Life of Laud, 5. 2 Laud, by a Roman Recusant, 11.

3 Parker, Laud, 1-9. 4 Hutton, 6. See also Parker, i. 9, note.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

university together in the same college, and though the
latter was two years senior, there need be no doubt but
that they often met and were acquainted. Laud is then
described as “ a very forward, confident, and zealous
person.” 1 In 1593, Laud became fellow of S. John’s, and
in June 1594 graduated. He took the degree of M.A. in
1598, the same year as Fludd. He appears to have been
resident in the college all these years as Fellow and after-
wards as “ Grammar Reader.” 2 Life at Oxford at this time
was not remarkable for refinement or restraint. At times
“ no man’s servant, nor the Mr himself, can sit at their
owen doers, nor goe about their busyness in the eveninge
quietly, but he shalbe beaten, and havinge anything in his
hand, yt shall be taken awaye from him, as wyne and wyne
pot.” 3

It will be thus seen that the prevailing tone of S.
John’s was opposed to that of Oxford generally. “ From
S. John’s, guarded by his unfailing loyalty to his own
college, Laud [and Fludd] could look out with some
contempt on a university in which drunkenness was pre-
valent, and was said to be fostered by the newly-introduced
habit of smoking tobacco ; in which learning was satisfied
with the study of Calvin’s institutes ; and where the
Puritan chiefs, divided into two hostile camps, argued
interminably the question whether the Divine decrees of
rigid election and reprobation dated from before or after
the fall of Adam.” 4 But about this time foreigners began
to visit Oxford, and a special visitor must be noted in
Josephus Barbatus, “ a learned Copt from Egyptian
Memphis, who lectured for some years in his own mother
tongue, and described the ancient Bible lands and dis-
coursed about the Bible languages.” 5 And in the college,
too, remained and still remain many of the gorgeous vest-
ments, chasubles, copes, dalmatics, given by the founder.

1 Laud, by a Roman Recusant, 23. 2 Lawson, i. 11.

3 Laud, by a Roman Recusant, 14.

4 Simpkinson, Life and Times of Laud, 12, 5 Simpkinson, 16.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Laud, bound by his orders and studies to strict church
authority, sought to enlarge the grandeur of the university
by the encouragment of Oriental studies and the gifts of
priceless MSS. ; while Fludd, the layman, sought, in
mystic studies, yet with a freer hand, to illustrate founda-
tion truths with strongly original thought, study, research,
and conclusion. Both had their places, their duties, and
their labours — successes sometimes, disappointments often,
misunderstanding by both, and persecution from both
Puritan and Romanist.

We are told that Fludd was a person “ of great
personal sanctity,” and an incident which he relates
in his “ Mosaicall Philosophy ” as having happened to
an Oxford scholar may have taken place when he was
there, and it appears to have made a great impression
on him. “ There was also,” he says, “ a young towardly
scholar, a great follower of Aristotle,” master of Salisbury
School, who, “ having been at the Act at Oxford, did return
homeward in the company of some merchants or other
travellers, being on horseback,” when on Salisbury Plain a
“ great tempest of thunder and lightning did arise.” The
other travellers were afraid, but the scholar telling them
“ it was nothing but a natural thing,” speaking lightly,
“ which, when he had said, he only of all the company was
by the lightning struck dead.” 1 Fludd dedicated some of
his works to members of the Episcopate — Archbishop
Abbot, Bishop Williams, and Bishop Thornburgh — “ being
such as with my heart I reverence .” 2 He had a special
regard for the Bishop of Worcester, whom he calls his
“noble friend.” He appears on one occasion as residing
with him at Hartlebury Castle . 3 Fludd was at all times a
faithful and attached friend and member of the Church of
England.

1 p. 15. 2 Squeesing of Parson Foster’s Sponge, 22.

3 Mosaicall Phil., 118.

(

CHAPTER V.

Having Graduated, Fludd goes abroad — Travels into France — Spain- -Italy
and Germany — Becomes Tutor to Charles of Loraine, Duke of Guise ;
Francis, Chevalier de Guise, Knight of Malta ; Marquis de
Orizon, &c. — Pursues at same time Studies in Chemistry, &c. —
Notes from his Works of his Journeys — Ghost Story in Paris — A
Dog Story — At Lyons — Story of a Jew who killed a red-headed
English Mariner — to produce poison — A Cardinal buries his
Mistress alive — Caused her to be bitten by Toads, and so produces
poison — At Rome makes acquaintance of Gruterius — His History
and Character — What Fludd learned from him — Returns home —
Graduates at Christ Church, Oxford — 1605 — Quarrel with Censors
of College of Physicians — 1609, admitted Fellow — Censor — Practises
Medicine in London — Manner — Success — Harney’s Account — His
History — Friendship with Gilbert — His History — Both unmarried —
Opinions on Fludd — Objects of present work — Connection of Fludd
with Rosicrucian Society, and his Devotion and Religious Life and
Opinions.

jpULLER, in his “Worthies of England,” is perhaps the
first biographer of Fludd, and he tells us that, after
being at Oxford, he was “ bred ” “ beyond the seas.” 1

Wood says 2 that, after taking “ his degree in Arts,
he studied physic, travelled into France, Spain, Italy, and
Germany for almost six years. In most of which countries
he became acquainted with several of the nobility of them,
some of whom he taught, and for their use made the first
ruder draughts of several of his pieces now extant.” Wood’s
information is derived from Fludd’s introductory note,
“ Lectori Benevolo,” prefixed to his “ Tractatus Secundus
de Natura Simia,” the second edition of which was issued
at Frankfort in 1624. He mentions as those for whom
certain of his works were prepared, Charles of Loraine,

1 Edn. 1811, i. 503.

2 Athense (Bliss), ii. 618.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Duke of Guise/ ; Francis of Loraine, a knight of the Guise
family 2 ; the Marquis de Orizon ; also a nobleman of the
Pope’s family, Yice-Legatus Avineonense ; and in terms of
deeper affection, Reinaud of Avignon, “ a most learned
youth and his dearest friend.” In Chalmers’s Biographical
Dictionary, it is said of this period of Fludd’s life — “ He
then spent six years in travelling through France, Spain,
Italy, and Germany, in most of which countries he not only
became acquainted with several of the nobility, but read
lectures to them.” 3 In the excellent and complete article
in the “ Dictionary of National Biography ” it is put thus :
— “ As a student of medical science he travelled for nearly
six years on the Continent, visiting France, Spain, Italy,
Germany, and teaching in noble families.” 4 This state-
ment appears in a like, but more concise, form in Jennings
and Waite. 5 These last two writers, however, make no
mention of Fludd having cc delivered lectures ” or taught
“ in noble families.” Munk adds — “ It was probably during
these peregrinations that he inbibed a taste for the Rosi-
crucian philosophy, of which he was ever after a most
strenuous supporter, and, indeed, almost the only one who
became eminent for it in this kingdom.” 6 We are also told
that he “ returned with considerable repute as a proficient
in chemistry.” 7 From Fludd’s own works we will obtain a
few glimpses of his adventures during these years of
absence, presumably 1598-1604, or thereabouts. When at
Paris “ our countryman, Dr Flud, a person of much learn-
ing and great sincerity,” was told the following story “ by
the Lord of Menanton, living in that house at the same
time, from a certain Doctor of Physick, from the owner of
the house, and many others.” A certain chemical “ operator,
by name La Pierre, near that place in Paris called Le

1 Son of Henry I. of Guise ; b. 1571, cl. 1640.

2 Francis, “Chevalier de Guise,” his brother, was a knight of Malta;
b. 1589, d. 1614,

3 Art., Fludd, R., xiv. 41 S. 4 Art., Fludd, R., vol. xix. 34S.

5 Jennings, 363 ; Waite, 2S6.

0 Roll of Royal Coll, of Physicians, i. 150,

7 Die. of Nat. Biog., xix. 348,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Temple, received blood from the hands of a certain Bishop
to operate on.” Having “ operated ” according to the
custom of the time, the chemist “ heard an horrible noise
like unto the lowing of kine, or the roaring of a lion, and
continuing quiet (in his bed), after the ceasing of the sound
in the Laboratory, the moon being at the full, by shining,
enlightening the chamber, he saw a little cloud, condensed
into an oval form, which after, by little and little, did seem
to put on the shape of a man, and making another and
sharp clamour, did suddenly vanish.” Neighbours heard
the strange noises. When afterwards the chemist broke
his retort, he found in it “ the perfect representation of an
human head, agreeable in face, eyes, nostrils, mouth, and
hairs that were somewhat thin and of a golden colour.”
The Bishop who had given the operator the blood, “ did
admonish him that, if any of them from whom the blood
was abstracted should die at the time of its putrification,
his spirit was wont to appear.” 1

FI ud d tells us a dog story — an adventure which hap-
pened to him in France : — “ For as T rode post to Lions,
and by the way had lost my vallise or male, in which my
letters of exchange were, and seeking to return back again,
I found my post horse of that quality, that he would by no
means recoile and go back again. Then I was forced to send
my dog [a water spannell] to look out, and after he had been
absent half an houre, he brought the bouget in his mouth,
which is strange, considering that I was on horse back and
that he could not discern any footing of mine, yet never-
theless he came to the bouget which I desired, and finding
by it a sent of me, he brought it again.” This he also
explains by a “ spirituall respect of sympathy betwixt
creature and creature .” 2

Fludd, who had always a voracious appetite for the
marvellous, tells us of some extraordinary methods of
drawing most deadly “ venome” from “red headed persons.”

1 J. Webster, The Displaying of Witchcraft, 319,

2 Mosaicall Philosophy, 227,

26 DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

This “ venome which may be attracted out of man, is such
“ that there cannot be found a more pernicious or malignant
one to mankind.” When at Leghorn he met a “ merchant
newly come from Fess in Barbary,” who told him the story
of a Jew who had persuaded a “ red headed English
mariner,” for “ love of him,” and for “ 300 pound,” to sell
himself as a slave to him, who was afterwards found with
his back broken and a gagge in his mouth, stung by vipers,
and a silver bason placed to his mouth to receive “ venome.”
It was made into a most deadly and expensive poison.
The “ Pope’s apothecary,” with whom Fludd became
acquainted at Avignon, told him a similar tale. It referred
to a Cardinal dwelling in Rome, “ who, immediately after
he had got his red headed mistres with child, and nourish-
ing her with all the delightful dainties that might be, till
she was delivered, did in a secret Court in his Pallace bury
her, armes and all, unto the paps, and so let loose unto her
two hungry Asps, or, as a German heard it related, two
deformed Todes, the which making immediately unto her
dugs, sucked, and in sucking bit her, and impoysoned her
dugs ; and when the Todes were full, that milk became, he
said, so venomous and deadly, that it infected any one that
touched it, it was so subtle and piercing. And besides (as
the former story goeth), the woman was taken up, and after
her back was broken, was hanged, her legs upwards, against
the sun, to receive that venomous liquor that distilled from it
into a silver vessel, wherewith he intended to have poisoned
that Cardinal 1 which stood as a block in the way between
the Popedom and him.” He tells a similar story of the
doings of a “ certain Hermit that lives not far from Aix in
Provence,” who c< did infect the whole city” with a desperate
plague. “ By the like stratagem, a little before my coming
into Provence, the plague was brought into Turin in
Piedmont, by certain lewd persons, who suffered for it, their
flesh being torn from them by hot, fiery pincers.” 1

But it was at Rome that Fludd became acquainted with

1 Mosaicall Pliily., 236-7.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

the man who, more than any other at this time, exercised
an influence upon him. This was the celebrated Gruterius,
well known as the collector and publisher of the “ Collection
of Ancient Inscriptions,” the editor of the works of Cicero,
and the “ Florilegium Magnum ” and other most useful and
erudite works. Gruter was a native of Antwerp, born
1560. He took his doctors degree at Leyden. He after-
wards lived at Wittenberg and at Padua, but finally
settled at Heidleberg. His library was “ large and
curious,” and cost him no less than 1200 gold crowns, but
he lost it in the pillage of Heidleberg in 1622.

Gruter was a conscientious adherent of the Reformed
Faith, most liberal to all, and in character true and ex-
cellent. He always preferred a standing posture in his
literary labours. 1 It was at Rome that Fludd and Gruter
became acquainted.

“ I was,” Fludd says, “ whilest I did soiourne in Rome,
acquainted with a very learned and skilful personage,
called Master Gruther. Hee was by birth of Swisserland,
and for his excellencv in the Mathematick, and in the Art
of Motions and inuentions of Machines, he was much
esteemed by the Cardinall of Saint George. This gentleman
taught mee the best of my skill in those practices : and
amongst the rest, hee delivered this magneticall experiment
unto me, as a great secret, assuring me that it was tried
in his Country, vpon many with good successe. When
(said he) any one hath a withered and consumed member,
as a dried arme, leg, foot, or such like, which physicians call
an Atrophie of the lims, you must cut from that member,
bee it foot or arme, the nailes, haire, or some part of the
skin ; then you must pierce a willow tree with an Auger or
wimble, and afterward put into the hole the pared nailes
and skin, and with a peg made of the same wood, you must
stoope it close : observing that in this action the Moone be
increasing and the good Planets in such a powerful sign as
in Gemini, &c., &c. . . . And (said he) it hath beene

1 Chalmers’ Biog. Die., 410-413,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

tried, that as the tree daily groweth and flourisheth, so
also, little by little, will the patient recover his health. 55 1

We have here, probably, the origin of Fludd’s acquaint-
ance in practice of the ointment and powder of sympathy,
in regard to which Foster’s attack was made.

When, after his journeys and “ grand tour 55 on the
Continent, Fludd came back to England, he entered at
Christ Church, Oxford, with the intention of taking his
degree in medicine. On 16th May 1605 he received the
degree of M.B. and M.D. 1 2

He came before the College of Physicians in the early
part of 1606. His second examination, 7th February
1605-6, does not appear to have been altogether satis-
factory to the censors, as is evident from the following
memorandum : — “ Secundo examinatur, atque etiamsi plene
examinationibus non satisfaceret, tamen judicio omnium
visus est non indoctus, permissus est itaque illi medicinam
facere. 55 “ With a large share of egotism and assurance, a
strong leaning to chemistry, a contempt of Galenical
medicine, and, let us hope, a sincere belief in the doctrines
of the Rosie Cross, absurd as these are represented to have
been, he seems to have startled the censors by his answers
within the College, no less than by his conduct out of it,
and was for some time in constant warfare with the
collegiate authorities, and an object of deserved suspicion to
his seniors in the profession. 55 On 2nd May 1606, there is
the following entry in the Annals : — “ Delatum est ad
Collegium Dm. Fludd multa de se et medicamentis
suis chemicis pnedicasse, medicos autem Galenicos cum
contemptu dejecisse ; censores itaque in hunc diem eitari
jusserunt. Interrogatus an id verum esset, quod objectum
est, confidentissime omnia negabat, et aceusatores re-
quirebat ; qui quoniam non comparebant dismissus est
cum admonitione, ut modeste de se et sentiret et loqueretur ;
socios autem Collegii revereatur. Et cum persolvisset

1 Squeesing of Parson Foster’s Sponge, 134, 135.

2 Munk, i. 150, &c.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

pensionem a statutis prsescriptam, admissus est in numerum
Permissorum.”

In the latter part of 1G07 lie applied to be admitted a
candidate, and was thrice examined, viz., 7th August, 9th
October, and 22nd December. On the latter day, we read :
— “ Dr Fludd, examinatus, censetur dignus qui fiat candi-
dates.” His evil star, however, again prevailed, as we see
from the following: — •“ 21 Mar. 1607-8. Dr Fludd, qui jam
in candidatorum numerum erat cooptandus, tarn insolenter
se gessit, ut omnes ofienderentur ; rejectus est itaque a Do
Prsesidente cum admitione, ut sibi si sine Licentia practicare
pergeret, diligenter caveret.” On the 20th September 1609,
he was admitted a Fellow of the College. He was Censor
in 1618, 1627, 1633, 1634. 1

Fludd at once took up practice as a doctor of medicine
and physician in London, fixing his residence in Fen-
church Street ; afterwards lie seems to have lived in
Coleman Street, where, indeed, he died. He “ kept a
handsome establishment. His success in the healing art is
ascribed by Fuller to his influence on the minds of his
patients, producing a c faith-natural/ which aided the *' well-
working ’ of his drugs. He had his own apothecary under
his roof, which was unusual, and he was always provided
with an amanuensis, to whom he dictated, at untimely
hours, his numerous and elaborate treatises on things
divine and human.” 2

Munk remarks — “ He is said to have made a kind of
sublime, unintelligible cant to his patients, which, by in-
spiring them with greater faith in his skill, might in some
cases contribute to their cure. There is no doubt, at least,
that it would assist his reputation, and accordingly we find
that he was eminent in his medical capacity.” 3

Dr Harney gives a sketch of this eccentric member of
the faculty in the following words : — “ Dr Flud, Collegii

1 Munk, Roll of Royal College of Physicians, i. 150-153.

2 Die. Nat. Biog., voce, Fludd, R.

3 Munk, Royal Coll, of Physicians, in re.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Socius splendide satis vixit desiitque, Septemb. 8, 1637.
Is, prgeter morem Collegarum, amanuensem domi et phar-
macopseum semper aluit ; hunc medicamentis interdiu
componendis differendisque, ilium antelucanis cogitationi-
bus excipiendis ; quorum altero invidiam sibi non parvam
conflabat ; lucubrationibus autem, quas solebat edere
profussissimas, semper visus est plus sumere laboris, quam
populares nostri volebant fructum, qui liunc ferh negligebant
prse legendi toedio et prejudicio quodam oleum perdendi
operamque, ob cabalam, quam scripta ejus dicebantur olere
magis quam peripatum ; et ob ferventibus hominis ingenium
in quo plerique requirebant judicium.”

Dr Harney, junior, the author of the above, was a
distinguished physician, a great Royalist, and a munificent
benefactor to the College of Physicians. He left in MS. a
“ Series of Sketches of his Contemporaries,” from which the
above is taken. 1 He knew Fludd personally. Harney
attended many of the great Cromwellians, and had to
attend their religious services during the Great Rebellion,
but he “ always took care that his servant should carry for
him an Aldus edition of Virgil upon vellum, in binding and
bulk resembling an octavo Bible, to entertain himself with,
or a duodecimo edition of Aristophanes, canonically bound,
too, in red Turkey leather, with clasps, resembling a Greek
Testament.” Harney presented to Charles IT. a great
diamond ring, plundered from Charles I., which cost him
£500, on which “ was curiously cut the arms of England,
Scotland, France, and Ireland.” 2

As a physician, one of Fludd’s chief friends was his
“ renowned fellow or colleague, D. William Gilbert,” famed
“ for his magnetick skill and deep search, as well contem-
plative as experimentall.” 3

Gilbert, a native of Colchester, was born there in the
year 1540, and after receiving the degree of M.D., presented
himself to the London College of Physicians, of which he

1 MS. in Liby. of Phyns., dating ah anno 1628.

2 Munk, i. 210, &c. 3 Mosaicall Phily., 203.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

was elected a Fellow about 1573. He was appointed by
Queen Elizabeth her physician - in - ordinary. After her
death he became chief physician to King James I. Gilbert
died in 1603. He was “ deeply skilled in Philosophy and
Chemistry.” Gilbert’s great work is entitled, “ De Magnete
magneticisque Corporibus et de magno magnete Tellure,
Physiologia nova.” It was printed A.D. 1600, and is fre-
quently quoted by Fludd in his books. In regard to the
loadstone, Gilbert “ discovered and established several
qualities of it not observed before.” In his great work,
Gilbert “ shews the use of the declination of the magnet.”
A handsome monument stands over his grave in Trinity
Church, Colchester, and his picture is preserved in the
Bodleian. Like Fludd, Gilbert was never married. He
left his collection and rarities, including his library, to the
College of Physicians. 1

The chemical researches of Fludd are not matter for the
present work. They have most of them passed into the
shades and are forgotten, though it must be remembered
that from their seeds have germinated other results.

" As a writer, Fludd is the chief English Representative
of that school of medical mystics who laid claim to the
possession of the Key to Universal Science. With less of
original genius than Paracelsus, he has more method and
takes greater pains to frame a consistent system. The
common ideas of the school, that the biblical text contains a
storehouse of hints for modern science, has lost interest, its
potency expiring with the Hutchinsonians. And since
Fludd did not make, like Paracelsus, any permanent
addition to the Pharmacopoeia, or foreshadow, like Servetus,
any later discoveries in chemistry or physiology, his lucu-
brations have passed into oblivion.” 2

The intention of this work is to show Fludd’s con-
nection with the Rosicrucian Society, and to bring into

1 Chalmers’ Biog. Dicty., xv., 496-7. See drawings of tomb and of
portrait in Ars. Q. Coronatorum, v. 152. Gilbert seems to have had the
first hint of the electric telegraph system.

2 Die. of Nat. Biog., in voce Fludd, R.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

notice his intense religious devotion and wonderful religious
insight, the result of immense research and great “ personal
sanctity.”

CHAPTER VI.

Secret Societies for Esoteric study — Existing from earliest times — among
Egyptians, Greeks, and Latins — Two Schools — Christian and Arabic
— Rosy Cross first mentioned, 1374 — Name of Rosaries — Symbol of
Rose — Secret, also Ineffable Bliss — Secret Teaching handed on from
time to time — Agrippa organises Secret Society at Paris, 1507 —
Rosicrucians said to be reorganised by Paracelsus — but Society
appears suddenly in public in 1616, “ Faraa Fratcrnitas” — History
of C. R. C. — Rules — Death and Burial of C. R. C. — Tomb — Whole
more like a Romance than a reality — House of the Holy Ghost — The
“ Confessio,” 1615 — A Protestant Production — Followed by Publi-
cation of “ Chymical Marriage” — A larger work — An “Abstruse
Alchemical Treatise” — J. V. Andreas’ connection — His learning —
Probably published these Tracts — Immense Sensation caused by
“ Fama.”

rPHAT secret societies have existed for the purpose of
esoteric study, from very early times, is undoubted.
Egyptians, Greeks, Latins conferred secret knowledge in
lodges or meetings, in which various degrees of initiation
were practised. The medieval societies for the study of
alchemy, natural magic, and in which theosophical subjects
were discussed, may be said to have sprung from two
sources — that represented in earlier times b} r the societies
in the church, formed from the teaching in the schools of
Alexandria, and that represented by the schools of magic
originating in Arabia, and which came to fuller renown
and glory in Moorish Spain. The latter produced Geber,
Avincenna, Rhases, and Averrhoes. One of these societies
was the “ Societas Physicorum ” in the fourteenth century.

The first mention of the Fraternity of the Rosy Cross is
alleged to be in the year 1374, when the Count von
Falkinstein, Bishop of Treves, is designed as “ Imperator
Fraternitatis Rosese Crucis.”

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

“ It is probable that the old secret brotherhood of
alchemists and mystics had this name at the time of the
many ‘ Rosaries ’ produced by such men as Arnold Lully,
Ortholanus, Roger Bacon, &c., and united the symbol of
the rose, which represents the secret as well as the ineffable
bliss, with the Cross or Symbol of the Christian Faith.” 1

At anyrate, in the firmament of the middle ages, dark
and stormy, began to appear the mysterious brothers of the
Rosy Cross. “ Many of these mystics, by following what
they had been taught by some treatises, secretly preserved
from one generation to another, achieved discoveries which
would not be despised even in our modern days of exact
sciences.” 2

In the year 1507, a secret society, organised by Cor-
nelius Agrippa, appeared at Paris. That famous occultist is
said to have been Imperator of the Society of the Rosy
Cross.

The Rosicrucians were reorganised by Theophrastus
Paracelsus. During his long travels in the East, he had
evidently become acquainted with the Indian secret
doctrine, and he drew after him in Europe a large number
of disciples, and united the Rosicrucian system with the
older teachings, though we cannot now easily trace how far
this was done. 3

Agrippa and Paracelsus were, it will be remembered,
pupils and friends of Trithemius. The latter, writing in
1510 to Agrippa, tells him to “ speak of things public to the
public, but of things lofty and secret only to the loftiest
and the most private of your friends.” 4

But as we certainly know the society of the Rosy Cross,
we may consider it revealed to Europe, somewhat suddenly,
early in the seventeenth century. Two remarkable books

1 Transactions of Newcastle College of S. Ros. in Anglia, i., iii. 48.
The mention, in 1484, of the ‘ c Fraternitas Rosarii Slesvici,” does not
necessarily refer to a Rosicrucian Society, but to a Guild of the Rosary
in the Catholic Church. See Ars. Quat. Coron., v. 67.

3 Isis Unveiled, i. 64.

3 Newcastle Pro. S. R. in Anglia, i., iii. 51 ; also Waite, 211.

4 Mor ley’s Agrippa, i. 221.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

then appeared. The first is entitled, “ Fama Fraternitas
or, a Discovery of the most laudable Order of the Rosy
Cross.” The first edition was printed at Cassel in the year
1616, though it is said to have existed in MS. six years
before that date. This exceedingly rare first edition is in
12mo, in Gothic letter, and was originally issued in antique
paper binding. It commences with the declaration that
now, seeing the progress in science and discovery, a
“ Liber Naturae, or a Perfect Method of all Arts,” can be
“ Collected.”

The “Fama” then proceeds to the story of the founder
of the order— “ the most godly and highly illuminated
Father, our Brother, C. R. C., a German, the chief and
original of our Fraternity ” ; who, neverthless, is said to
have been associated with another (elder or previously ad-
mitted) brother, P. A. L.

C. R. C. goes to Damascus, though “but of the age of
sixteen years when he came thither, yet of a strong Dutch
constitution.” Wise men there, expecting him, taught him
many secrets. He there learned Arabic, “ Physick, and his
Mathematics.” He next visited Arabia, where he further
studied Arabic and the Cabala. He then came “ with
many costly things into Spain,” where he “ prescribed to
them new Axiomata.” Afterwards, C. R. C., “ after many
painful travels, returned into Germany.” He there bound
three brethren “unto himself, to be faithful, diligent, and
secret, as also to commit carefully to writing all that which
he should direct and instruct them in, to the end that those
that were to come, and through special revelation should
be received into the Fraternity, might not be deceived of
the least syllable or word. After this manner began the
Fraternity of the Rosie Cross — first by four persons only.”
Other four were, however, soon received, “all bachelors,
and of vowed virginity, by whom was collected a book or
volume of all that which man can desire, wish, or hope
for.” The brethren then separated, but, before doing so,
agreed to six rules : —

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

1. That their outward profession should be to cure the
sick gratis.

2. That no special habit should be worn.

3. That every year, upon the day C., “ they should
meet together at the house Sancti Spiritus,” or write cause
of absence.

4. That every brother should look out for a suitable
successor.

5. That the word R. C. should be their seal mark and
character.

6. That the Fraternity should remain secret one
hundred years. 1

The burial - places remained secret. The founder,
“ C. R. C.,” that is, Christian Rosy Cross, died at the age of
106 years. The society, the “ Fama” tells us, had lasted (in
that form) 120 years. But recently the burial vaults of the
founder had been discovered. A door bore the inscription,
“ Post CXX. annos patebo.” A heptagonal vault, illumi-
nated by an artificial sun, was discovered. In the middle a
circular altar displayed a small brass with this inscription :
— “ This grave, an abstract of the whole world, I made for
myself while yet living.” Round the margin was the motto,
“ Jesus mihi omnia.” Each side of the vault had a secret
recess, which contained books in MS. and some bells and
medicinal items. The body of C. R. C. was found beneath
the altar, uncorrupted, with the book called T. in his right
hand, which “ has since become the most precious Jewel
of the society next after the Bible.” At the end of it are
subscribed the names of the eight brethren.

After finishing this story, more like a romance than a
reality, and one which might not even be the true history
of the Rosicrucian Order at all, follows an invitation for
“ some few, which shall give their names,” to join together,
“ thereby to increase the number and respect of our
Fraternity, and make a happy and wished-for beginning
of our Philosophical Canons, prescribed to us b}^ our

1 Waite, 65-84.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Brother R. C., and be partakers with us of our treasures
(which can never be wasted), in all humility and love, to
be eased of this world’s labours, and not walk so blindly in
the knowledge of the wonderful works of God.” They
profess themselves of the Protestant faith. They honour
the Emperor and submit to his laws. The rumoured art of
gold making “ is but a slight object with them.” “Also,
our building [the House of the Holy Ghost], although one
hundred thousand people had very near seen and beheld
the same, shal for ever remain untouched, undestroyed, and
hidden to the wicked world. Sub umbra alarum tuarum
JEHOVA.” 1

The second volume, the “ Confessio Eraternitatis,
R. C.” appeared in a Latin form in the year 1615, also at
Cassel. It consists of fourteen chapters, and is addressed,
“ Ad Eruditos Europse.” The introduction to the reader
contains a declaration that the Pope is Antichrist, a suffi-
cient declaration of a Protestant authorship. Mahomet is
condemned, along with the Pope, in the first chapter. The
“ Confessio ” bears to be an explanation of anything “ too
deep, hidden, and set down over dark in the Fama.” This
philosophy “ containeth much of Theology and Medicine,
but little of Jurisprudence,” but analyses and makes “ suffi-
ciently manifest the mierocosmus, man.” The meditations of
C. R. C. contain all knowledge, and could erect a “ new
citadel of truth.” The brethren fear neither poverty,
hunger, disease, or age. All secrets of those beyond the
Ganges, or who live in Peru, can be known. Their music
might draw pearls instead of stony rocks, instead of wild
beasts and spirits. Still, the Arcana is not to be common
property. The Fraternity is “ divided into degrees.” In
the sixth chapter, the date 1378 is given as the birth of
C. R. C. In the ninth chapter is reference made to “ our
my stick writing,” which is taken from characters and
letters incorporated in the Scriptures. Those nearest to
the fraternity “ do make the Bible the rule of their life,

1 Waite, see ante ; De Quincey, in voce.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

the end of all their studies, and the compendium of the
universal world.” Gold and the “ supreme medicine of
the world ” are not to he “ set at nought,” but yet the
Roman viper’s mouth is to be stopped and his triple crown
brought to naught. In conclusion, it is said that a mere
seeker after treasure, “ partaker of our riches against the
will of God, shall sooner lose his life in seeking us, than
attain happiness by finding us. Fraternitas R. 0.” 1

In the year 1616, these two short books were followed
by the publication of the “ Chymical Marriage of Christian
Rosencreutz.” It professes to be dated 1459. This, which
is a much larger work than the others, is well described “ as
a very abstruse alchemical work, in which the universal
alchemical process is taught under the figure of a marriage.
The setting, however, is so bizarre, all direct references to
chemistry being avoided, that no one — that is, no one living
at the present day — can make the least sense out of it.” 2
It has been considered that, although the “ Fama ” and
“Confessio” were issued at about the same time, they may be
in reality of different dates. They are considered by many to
be the work of Johann Valentin Andreas, Abbot of Adel-
burg and almoner to the Duke of Wurtemberg. He was
undoubtedly one of, if not the ablest, mystic and theo-
logical writer in Germany at the time. Dr W. Wynn
Westcott, one of the greatest authorities on the subject,
says : — “ I have no quarrel with those who assert he
published these tracts, and that he wrote the ‘ Confessio ’ ;
but if so, I deny that he wrote the * Fama,’ although it may
have been put into his hands for publication. I see nothing
unreasonable in supposing that such a mystic student
should have been admitted to such a fraternity, and that
he should have been told off to publish a partial expose of
the system, if such a course was resolved upon.” 3

The arms of Andreas, which are figured by Mr Waite,
contain a S. Andrew Cross with four roses, one on each of

1 Waite, ad., p. 98. 2 Newcastle S. R. in Anglia, i., iii. 53.

3 Ars. Quat. (Joron., vii. 40.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

its angles. But then the arms of Luther were very similar.
It is also said that the style of the other writings of Andreas
is most like that of the Rosicrucian pamphlets. This may
all he so, and yet Andreas may have been only the medium
through which the then revelation of the rules and arms of
the order were revealed.

The publication of the “Fama” created an immense
sensation. No fewer than five editions in German ap-
peared in a very few years. A Dutch version appeared in
161G. “In the library of Gottingen there is a body of
letters addressed to the imaginary Order of Father Rosy-
cross, from 1614-1617, by persons offering themselves as
members.” Other persons published small pamphlets on
the subject, and even impostors appeared professing to be
Rosicrucians, “and deceived many.” No printed letters
received printed answers. What answers, if any, were
given privately, of course, cannot be known. A secret
society will act secretly. The qualifications of candidates
were at its option. No one could tell the result. Still, at
this time Germany was filled with students of alchemy,
Cabala, and mysticism, and the excitement continued to
be intense. 1

1 De Quincey, Inquiry, chap. iv.

CHAPTER VII.

Michael Maier — A Friend of Fludd — Visits England, 1616 — Friends there
— Paddy and Anthony — “ Silentium Post Clamorcs ” — Why Appli-
cants for Rosy Cross Order treated with silence — “ Universal Re-
formation” — Opposition by Andrew Libau — A Successful Chemist —
His works — Fludd’s Apology for the Rosicrucians — First at Leyden,

1616 — Result of Maier’s Visit — Why Fludd’s works printed abroad
— Fludd studied the Cabala since 1606 — Second Edition revised,

1617 — Described — Reprint at Leipsic, 1782, by “ Adam Booz.”

may be remembered, it has been stated that Michael
Maier was the frater who introduced the Order
of the Rosy Cross into England. It has been said
that he initiated Fludd into the order. On the other
hand, Dr Wynn Westcott says that Fludd was initiated
abroad . 1 At any rate, Maier “ lived on friendly terms ”
with Fludd when in England. It would seem that he
visited our country more than once. Some have said that
Maier 2 long sought admission into the order, and at last,
despairing of success, determined to found an order of the
nature he imagined the Rosy Cross to be. Maier is said
a^ain by some to have been “ at length admitted into the
order.” 3

In his work entitled “ Silentium Post Clamores Maier
professes to explain the reason why the order treated all

1 Ars. Quat. Cor., vii. 41.

2 Besides Fludd, Maier made two friends in England — Sir William
Paddy, to whom he dedicated his “Arcana Arcanissima,” and Francis
Anthony, to whom “ ex Anglia reditu, Pragam abituriens, anno 1616,
mense Septembri,” he dedicated his “ Lusus Serius.” Anthony was a
student, rather a recluse, occupied in chemical investigation. “ He lived
in St. Bartholomew’s Close, London, where he died, 1623, and is, I
suppose, buried there.” — Aubrey’s Lives, i. p. 32. He wrote a book, then
famous, “ Aurum Potabile.” He was a “ great Paracelsian.” — Wood’s
Athense, ii. 416.

3 Waite, 269-273.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

its applicants with silence. “ The author asserts that, from
very ancient times, philosophical colleges have existed
among various nations for the study of medicine and
natural secrets, and that the discoveries which they made
were perpetuated from generation to generation by the
initiation of new members.” He refers to “ those of old
Egypt ” — the Cabiri, the Magi of Persia, the “ Brachmans
of India,” Pythagoras. The Rosicrucian order, he says,
rightly observes the silence ordered by Pythagoras. He
declares the contents of the two treatises to be true. He
also declares, what appears to be correct, that the work
called “ The Universal Reformation,” a sort of dialogue
between the heroes and philosophers of antiquity as to the
then times, had no connection with the order, but was
merely bound up with the “ Eama.”

In the meanwhile a determined opponent of the order
arose in the person of Andrew Libau or Libavius. This
writer, a native of Hall in Saxony, was in 1605 appointed
principal of the College of Casimir at Coburg. He
achieved considerable reputation from his chemical works
and experiments. The “ fuming Aqua of Libavius,” a pre-
paration of tin with muriatic acid, long kept his name
alive. He defended the principles of the school of Galen,
which, it may be recollected, Fludd, in his appearance
before the College of Physicians, treated rather con-
temptuously. Libavius was the first to mention the
possibility of transfusion of blood from one living animal
to another. 1 Though believing in alchemy, Libavius had
not belief in the Rosi crucians, “ and was one of the first
writers who attacked them, in two Latin folios, dated 1615,
and in a smaller German pamphlet, which appeared in the
following year. The first of these works contains an ex-
haustive criticism of the Harmonic and Magical Philosophy
of the Mysterious Brotherhood. It is entitled “ Exercitatio
Paracelsica nova de notandis ex Scripto Fraternitatis de
Rosea Cruce.” In his German pamphlet, Libavius, how-

1 Chalmers’ Biog. Dicty., in voce.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

ever, “ decides that the order does exist.” He seems to
have changed his opinions, and now, either ironically or in
earnest, advises all to join the society. 1 Libau died in the
year 1616. There were many other writers on the subject
of the Brotherhood, but Libavius’ works are interesting to
us as calling forth the first literary efforts of Fludd, who,
it seems, had been, before 1616, admitted a member of the
order. We are told that all works in Latin on mystic
subjects, published in Germany or elsewhere abroad, were
at once carried into England, and, if in other languages,
translated into Latin for the use of English scholars.

Fludd’s apology for the Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross
was first issued in 1616, being printed at Leyden. It
“ entitles him to be regarded as the high priest of their
mysteries.” 2 It is said that Maier visited Fludd in
London in 1615, and “the result of his visit was, we know,
the publication of his ‘Apologia,’ written in Latin, and
published in Leyden in 1616.” 3

Before proceeding to give some account of Fludd’s
works and opinions in religious philosophy, I may notice
that, during his life, the only work published by him in
England was his answer to Foster. The latter insinuates
that he was not allowed by the Universities and Bishops of
England to issue them there. Fludd explains this to be
quite a mistake. “ I sent them,” he says, “ beyond the
seas, because our home-borne Printers demanded of me five
hundred pounds to print the first volume, and to find the
cuts in copper ; but, beyond the seas, it was printed at no
cost of mine, and that as I could wish. And I had 16
copies sent me over, with 40 pounds in gold, as my unex-
pected gratuitie for it.” 4 This evidently refers to his
“ Utriusque Cosmi . . Historia,” the first part of which

was issued at Oppenheim in 1617. It is believed that the
“ Apologia ” was issued at the request of Maier, and pro-
bably he took or sent to Leyden the MS. Fludd’s studies

1 Waite, 248-252. 2 Davenport Adams, Witch, &c., 1S9.

3 Ars., vii. 42, 4 Squeesing of Foster’s Sponge, 21, 22.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

in mysticism had now continued for several years. “ Since
about the year 1600 he had begun to study the Cabala,
magic, astrology, and alchemy, as is proved by his ‘ Historia
Utriusque Cosmi.’ Oppenheim, 1617, folio.”

The title of Fludd’s first work is, “ Apologia Com-
pendiaria Fraternitatem de Rosea Cruce Suspicionis et In-
famise Maculis Aspersam, Veritatis quasi Fluctibus abluens
et abstergens. Leydse, 1616.” 1

A new and revised edition, “ Lugduni Batavorum,
Apud Godefridum Basson, Anno Domini, 1617,” bears this
title, “ Tractatus Apologeticus Integritatem Societatis de
Rosea Cruce defendens. In qua probatur contra D. Libavii
et aliorum ejusdem farinse calumnias, quod admirabilia
nobis a Fraternitate R. C. oblata, sine improba Magise
impostura, aut Diaboli, pnestigiis et illusionibus prsestari
possint. Authore R. De Fluctibus, Anglo, M.D.L.” It is a
small 8vo of 196 pages, with an Epistle to the Reader of
2 pages and a preface of 16 pages. There seems to be no
reason to doubt that the work is the genuine production of
Fludd. The “ Apologia ” is in three parts. The first is
entitled “ De Characteribus Mysticis ” ; the second, “ De
Scientiarum hodierno die in Scolis vigentium impedi-
mentis ” ; the third, “ De Naturae Arcanis.” The different
chapters have quotations or mottoes taken from the “ Con-
fessio.” The contents of the work are the germs of Fludd’s
subsequent writings. These develop his philosophical and
religious opinions. Fludd declares his purpose in the
‘"Apologia” to be “to protect the purity and innocence of
the society and to wipe off the spots of shame smeared over
the Brethren, as with a stream of pure wisdom.” Magic,
Cabala, and astrology are treated of, the Books of God,
visible and invisible — for, although nature is open, yet few
can read it. Yet the will of God can be pointed out by
the signs of the great book of nature. Still, all present
school arts are needful, and we must find a means of
acquiring them whenever possible. Great need there is for

1 Waite, 287 ; Gould, Hist, of Freemasonry, iii. 112,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

improvement in the methods of study adopted in regard to
medicine and alchemy. Want of mathematical knowledge
is a great hindrance. The third part of the book treats of
the origin of light and water, of the Spirit of God moving
in all things. In regard to magic, Cabala, and astrology,
Libavius seems to take the references to these in the
“ Confessio ” in a bad meaning. He forgets that distinction
can be made. Libavius calls magic and Cabala horrible
arts, and astrology mere superstition. Yet there is a
particular significance and distinction to be taken and
observed. Things should be examined carefully before
being rejected. The word magic comes from the Persian
language, and means much the same as the Latin “ Sapi-
ential Natural magic is that secret and hidden part of
nature-studies in which the mystical and secret properties
of all natural things are sought after; so, therefore, the
royal wise men, who, by the leading of the new star in the
east, sought the new-born Christ, were called the magi,
because they had attained the highest nature-knowledge of
both heavenly and earthly things. In this same knowledge
Solomon was well advanced, for he knew the secret powers
and properties of all things. Again, those who have
divined the secrets of mathematical magic have performed
astonishing things. Such were the wooden flying doves of
Arch etas, the metal speaking heads of Roger Bacon and
Albertus Magnus. Fludd adds — “ I have also myself, by
diligence in this art, prepared a wooden ox, which, like a
natural ox, alternately moves and roars ; a dragon, moving
its wings and hissing, which spits out of its jaws tire and
flames against the ox ; a lyre, which, of its own motive,
plays a symphony ; and many other things, about which I
must confess that they cannot be done by mere mathe-
matics without the co-operation of natural magic. 5 ’ At
page 195, the author addresses the Brethren of the Rosy
Cross. He refers to their promise to bring happiness to
those who have been reduced to misery by the fall of
Adam. He honours them because they serve Christ with

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

pure and upright hearts. He asks pardon of the Brother-
hood if, through his ignorance, lie has made any error or
mistake in his " Apologia.” He adds, “ he wished nothing
more or better than to be only the lowest associate in
your order, that lie might satisfy the inquisitive ears of
men by a trustworthy spreading of your renown.” He
then states shortly who he is. “ I am,” he says, “ of a
distinguished noble race. My spouse is called f desire of
wisdom 1 ; my children are the fruits produced by it. . .

I have considered almost all European countries with
my outward and inner eyes. I have experienced and
fortunatety overcome the stormy sea, the steep mountains,
the slippery vallies, ignorance on land, and the coarseness
of the towns ; the haughtiness and pride of the citizens,
avarice, faithlessness, ignorance, foulness, almost all human
inconveniences, and yet had met no one who had attained
that highest happiness, or really knew himself, or perceived
that true light spoken of by St. John, which sheweth in
darkness. I have found that almost everywhere vanity
rules and triumphs. All seems to be self-assertive misery
and vanity itself.” He then bids the brethren farewell, in
all kindness and affection. Fludd “ declares it to be im-
possible for any one to attain to the supreme summit of the
natural sciences unless he be profoundly versed in the
occult meanings of the ancient Philosophers.” 1 As to
arithmetic, he laments the loss of the life-giving numbers
through which the elements are bound to one another.
Fludd describes God as the fC Ens entium ” — the pure
igneous or fiery inviolate existence. God was unmanifested
before the creation of the universe. Light and fire he
considers to be the cause of all energies. The sun, he tells
us, “ is composed of equal parts of light and fire.”

Such is a brief account of F iudd’s “ Apology.” Besides
the two Latin editions, an edition in German appeared at
Leipsic in 1782, with a preface by Adam Booz. This
curious reprint will receive fuller treatment in an appendix.

1 Waite, p. 290.

CHAPTER VIII.

The “Tractatus Theologo-Philosophicus,” 1617, Title — Serpents in Skull —
De Vita — Seventeen Chapters — Cod — the Word and Light — Origin
of Universal Life — Devil of all Darkness — Service of Fire — Oblique
Revolution — Government by the Elohim — The Opake Body — Pan —
The Abyss of Cold — The coming forth of the Divine Word — Origin
of Minerals, &c. — Fishes — Birds — Higher Developments — Earth
first of all the Temple of God — Man formed of dust, the material of
that first Temple — The breath of life — Union with Father and Son
— The Body of Adam — Site of Paradise — Twofold — Adam only a
few hours free from sin — Advent of Christ — Mount Tabor’s Mystery
— The Vision of Elias — Dwelling of Rosicrucians — The Key of
David — De Morte — Michael and Satan — Adam destroyed by Eve —
The Imperfect — The Carnal — By the love of the body — De Resur-
rectione — Second Adam supernatural — Overcomes by obedience —
Enoch and Elias — The earth to be renewed by fire — God manifest in
our flesh — What the resurrection body will be — Fludd’s view of his
time — Dark — Rosicrucians possess the true Alchemy — The Sun in
the Centre of the Vault — The Lion of the Tribe of Judah — The
Carbuncle and the Ruby.

T'HE same year which witnessed the issue of the revised
edition of the “ Apologia ” saw also the issue of the
next of Fludd’s works. It is also said to have been put to
the press at Oppenheim by Maier, on his return from
England, or sent thither by him.

The volume is entitled, “ Tractatus Theologo-Philo-
sophicus, in Libros tres distributus ; Quorum — i. De Vita, ii.
de Morte, iii. De Resurrectione. Cui inferuntur nonnulla
Sapientise veteris, Adami infortunio superstitis, fragmenta :
et profundiori sacrarum Literarum sensu et lumine, atque
ex limpidiori et liquidiori saniorum Philosophorum fonte
hausta atque collecta, Fratribusque a Cruce Rosea dictis,
dedicata a Rudolfo Otreb Britanno. Anno Christvs

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Mvndo Vita. Oppenheimii typis Hieronymi Galleri, Im-
pends Job. Theod. de Bry.” The date (1617) is given
in a chronogram, and the name, “ Roberto Floud,” can be
read easily enough in “ Rudolfo Otreb.” The title-page
is surrounded by pictured scenes from the Edenic life.
That at the top seems to represent the creation of Eve.
Adam is still in a deep sleep. Eve, newly born, is adoring
the sacred name, surrounded by an oval glory. On the one
side is represented the temptation. The serpent, issuing
from the tree, offers, or holds out, an apple or fruit in his
mouth, while Adam is holding another in his hand, having
apparently just received it from Eve. Opposite is the other
scene. The sinful pair are being driven forth by death,
represented, in skeleton form, pointing with bony fingers to
the outer darkness, while a hand, issuing from a cloud,
holds a sword, the blade of which is a flame of fire. The
two side views are in pillar form, on the basis of each of
which is represented a skull and cross-bones. These are
entwined with serpents, the heads of which issue from the
eyeholes of the skulls. 1 At the bottom is an oval picture
representing a number of naked figures surrounding a
lake or pool of water, some in it. Several hands are raised
either in argument or explanation. A skull, bones, &c., are
scattered about. The capital letter I at the beginning of
Caput I. is also interesting. It stands as a pillar behind
which the sun appears at “ high 12.” A human being is
falling to the earth, upon which another creature, apparently
representing Pan, is seated charming a serpent by music.
The same letter appears in the second volume of the
“ Utriusque Cosmi Historia.” This tract is not included
in the collection of the authors works, and is marked in
my copy as “ Traite extremement rare,” and “ Liber Rariss:
1775,” by some former possessor. It extends to 126 pages.

1 This symbol also appears in the “ Marriage of Christian Rosencreutz.”
“There was a scull, or death’s head, in which was a white serpent, of
such a length that, though she crept circle- wise about the rest of it, yet her
tail still remained in one of the eyeholes until her head entered again at
the other.” — Waite, R. C., 149.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

“ Liber Primus, De Vita,” consists of seventeen chapters,
to which is added u JDivitiarum hujus mundi avidis
Epilogus.” In addition to Scripture, few authors are
quoted. Tremellius “ in Genesim,” Hermes Trismegistus,
Plato, and Dionysius Areopagito being the chief. The work
begins with the natural hypothesis that God, the Word and
Light, is the original of universal life, and that the Devil,
from his darkness, is the author of the beginnings or origins
of Death.

The first chapter commences with the sublime statement
that the original of all things is the Incomprehensible Jehova,
King of Kings, the nourishing Father of life, who, from
unformed matter, brought forth the clear substance of the
heavens and the most delicate spirit of the universe. This,
we are told, was performed by the fire, or burning spirit,
proceeding from His mouth — the very breath of life. All
was done through His immense love and the greatness of
His liberality. The method of the production or restoration
of order, Fludd declares to be by the splendour of His
presence and the operation of His lightnings in a gradual
oblique revolution and circumgyration of God’s threefold
light. Death, which at least in image had then existed, as
by the shining javelins of His presence, God threw down to
the abyss. The pride of Diabolus, then full of ambition to
be governor of the celestial kingdom, He overthrew, en-
compassed, repressed, and bridled. But not extinguished ;
for, through his power, we too often receive no benefit by
the worship of God. Hence the inevitable unhappiness of
man ; hence the mixture of truth with falsehood ; hence the
perpetual war of the just mind with the body, and the
persecution of the just by the impious. He then dis-
tinguishes between the two governments — that of God, the
Elohim, the King Celestial, the Father of Lights and
Splendour ; and the Devil, the infernal king, author of death
and darkness, and director of the opake material. The
power of evil being so strong, it is not surprising, therefore,
that the tremendous burden of the human being should

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

often govern the weak and little flame of the soul. The
opake body exceeds by many proportions the bright soul
imprisoned in it. The author then goes on representing
himself as one of the sons of Adam now drinking the cup
of unhappiness by the fall, and having contracted death in
the body by Adam’s sin, and proposes to enter upon the
history of the divine life in God and in nature.

The next chapter treats of the opinions of the most
ancient philosophers as to the origin of the universe.
The Demogorgon, perceiving a vibration and tremor amid
the darkness of chaos, soon Pan “ secunda creatura,
productus erat.” The spirit of nature, pure, limpid,
receiving impression from the God great and good, the
chaos is dissolved, and God, the author of life, places his
seat and throne “ ad machinse centrum.” Life and death
are now on opposite sides, and the fountain of life has
arisen in the world. In heaven the Trinity abides, where
there is nothing material, but perfect purity, “ syncera
igneitas,” infinite brightness, and immense splendour.
Beneath is the abyss, or place of cold, “ lacus lethifer,”
which is placed in the centre of the globe. When the
divine word came forth, the world, because of its darkness,
was unable to comprehend that divine light. Daniel in
the den of lions, amid the darkness of his prison, is an
apt type of the state of man. The divine balsam, which is
the celestial grace, at last cured the blindness of men, and
they were then able to contemplate the splendid glory of
the Creator, fully seen in the new city, Jerusalem, which
the crystalline river and the tree of life ornament and offer
true sustenance, where death has no place, where from all
darkness and ignorance have passed, because God and the
Lamb shine forth for ever in the perfect brightness of glory.
The third chapter treats of the origin of minerals and
vegetables, of creatures “ aquatilia, volatilia, et terrestria.”
All these were created by the fiat of God and by the Spirit of
his mouth. This chapter is followed by another treating of
the origin and cause of their spiritual or rational life. Fludd

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

considers the creation a matter of progress onward ; the
evolution of fishes is followed by that of birds, and that by
the appearance of land animals — their capabilities, powers,
possibilities, methods of life, progress in higher develop-
ments. The nature and condition of life and spirit improves
as time is passing, and at last the earth has attained such a
chemically perfect state that all is prepared for the advent
of man.

The fifth chapter treats of the creation of Adam, the
first man — a twofold existence, external and visible, internal
and invisible. He was produced in the time of Jight,
“ sole meridiem peragrante ” — the outward part formed of
the mud or dust of the earth. The earth was really then
the temple of God. So man was formed of the material of
that temple, a fact witnessed to by S. Paul and Xystus the
Pythagorsean. God then breathed “in faciem ejus spira-
culum vitae.” And that divine breath contained in it
“ vera portio Trinitatis personae ” — the Light of the Father,
the Splendour of the Son, and the Divine Knowledge or
Intelligence of the Holy Spirit. This is illustrated from
Trismeo’istus. Thus for a time the Divine light as wit-
nessed by S. John shined in darkness, and so man is the
temple of God. This made man heavenly and immortal.
Man, therefore, is of the “ nature of God,” and so capable of
junction with God. Such was Adam, comparable to angels.
Fludd then goes on to explain the saying of Trismegistus
that God has given two “ imagines ad suum exemplar,” the
world and man. “ Mundus est Dei imago et homo mundi.”
God’s spirit breathed on the very first as well as the last
day of creation. Hence, “ Ambo, Macrocosmus nempe et
Microcosmus, Dei simulacrum amplexi sint, et pulchritudine
tarn inunensa ornati exstiterint.”

In the sixth chapter the inquiry is, What is the breath
of life ? The answer is given in the words of S. John —
“ God has given unto us eternal life, and that life is in his
son.” Trismegistus is made to agree to this, that life is
union with the Father and the word. Blessed indeed, then,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

was Adam, who had breathed into him eternal life. Thus
was he made the “ animal divinum.” He partook of a
multiform nature, with the elements in his body, with the
plants in growth, with other animals in his senses, with the
heavenly Father in his vital parts, with the angels in his
intellect. The question as to the nature of the Adamic
body is next considered. It was pure, clear, and bright,
and like the countenance of Moses when he came down
from the Mount of God. The reference to those excluded
from the New Jerusalem by the writer of the Apocalypse
is extended by comparison. That city, whose sun is the
brightness of God and whose light is the Lamb, whose parts
are adorned with gems and precious stones, has a mansion
for the body of Adam, the very bones of which are as pure
gold, the walls of pure jasper, the very heart of the tree of
life, and the veins and arteries filled with the water of life . 1
This is the complete restoration of humanity. Some of the
intense thoughts in this chapter are only to be understood
by those who can see through them and by them to the
inner mysteries of God. Fludd next treats of the vulgar
opinions as to the site of the paradise on earth in which
Adam was placed and where he was nourished by the
heavenly nectar. Many, he says, who have attempted to
discuss this question have only exhibited their own depth
of darkness. Paradise is twofold, terrestrial, Edenic ;
super-celestial, the New Jerusalem, entirely spiritual. The
Edenic paradise was situated in Mesopotamia, near the
Arabian desert, full of beauty, and watered by noble and
limpid rivers. Both are comparable in fertility and
pleasure. Even the Edenic paradise is a great and
wonderful mystery. All joy was there, produced by the
true word of God and the brightness of His face. The
cultivation of the garden was to Adam, before his fall, a
pleasure ; afterwards, such labour became a pain and
drudgery. But the trees of life and of good and evil, “ non
sint grossse, manifesto et oculis communibus conspiciendse,”

1 See as to the “ body of Adam,” Jennings, 351, et seq.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

but occult, mystical, and such as can be understood by
those who are wise and loved by God. In regard to the
fall, Fludd holds that Adam was but a few hours free from
sin. His mind was at first occupied entirely with the
higher and better light and joy. In the second hour Eve
was created ; in the third hour the various animals were
named ; in the fourth hour Eve was tempted and took the
forbidden fruit ; in the sixth hour the eyes of both were
opened and their misery was discovered ; and in the seventh
hour the Divine voice was heard. They fled and hid them-
selves from God. Fludd seems to agree with a sentence
quoted from Trismegistus, that “ lapsus est a contemplatione
partis ad sphseram generationis.”

The fourteenth chapter treats of the advent of Christ.
Fludd fully accepts the doctrine of His Divinity, designing
Him “ Verbum Jehovfe sacrosanctum, Deus verus, Principium
et Finis, Alpha et Omega.” He came into the world that
we might live by Him. Christ, the saviour of the world,
the bright and morning star, the Lamb of God that taketh
away the sin of the world, rose again the third day. Not
merely did He fulfil the revelation made to Moses and
Elias, but the reference, in 2 Esdras xiv. 44-46, to the two
kinds of knowledge He openly revealed ; and the seventy
books, delivered only to the “ wise among the people, for in
them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of 'wisdom,
and the stream of knowledge,” received fulfilment before
the ascension. On such mystic subjects did Christ converse
with Moses and Elias on Mount Tabor, when man in Christ
attained and exhibited perfection in existence. To such
sights were S. Stephen and S. Paul for a few moments
admitted. Having thus and otherwise established the fact
of a common knowledge of Divine things suitable for “ the
worthy and unworthy to read,” Fludd proceeds in the
fifteenth chapter to refer to the Arcane Mysteries known to
the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles. Still the light shines
in darkness and is not comprehended of men. The errors
of the Devil bind men in ignorance and sin ; yet still is the

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

saying true that the Divine work goes on, that God is still
the fount of life, and that in His light men shall see light.
In these latter words, well and lucidly declared by the
royal prophet, are the heavenly mysteries of the paradise of
God, and the light which shall still shine amid the darkness
of the world. To the faithful the visions of S. Stephen and
S. Paul are still granted, treasures far above those of earth,
according to which the brethren most worthy of praise,
“ de Rosea Cruce, in confessione vestra oblatum.” You
have, he says, the key conducting to the joys of paradise,
and goes on to show that the revelation to Elias at Horeb
is the same as made known in the “ Rosicrucian allegory,
the way to possess the most admirable treasure.” This is
the manner of acquiring the mystery of the Divine light,
which is the Treasure of Treasures. The wind, earthquakes,
and fire are illusions and lies of the Devil. But the Divine
voice heard by Elias, Avho attains this treasure, will bring
men to the state of innocence which Adam forfeited. We
should not be glad merely because devils are subject, but
because our names and brethren are written in heaven.
The house of the Holy Spirit is where the spirit of wisdom
delights to have his habitation with men. “ Our building,
although 100,000 people had very near seen and beheld the
same, shall for ever remain untouched, undestroyed, and
hidden from the wicked world, “ Sub umbra alarum tuarum
Jehova.” Christ only has the key to the hidden treasure
of paradise ; He only has prevailed to open the book and
break the seals. This is the key of David, “knock and it
shall be opened, ask and ye shall receive.” Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from
God. It is by that bread which, when broken, Christ was
known to the disciples at Emmaus. This is the manna,
food of angels, which when received bands are loosed and
the spiritual light is illuminated. The same power which
was in the zephyr, which Elias heard, the same which
Solomon received — that spirit of wisdom which existed
before the world was. The beginning is the fear of God —

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

that delights to be with the sons of men — coming into
the heart and preserving what is good therein, the tree of
life in those who understand this wisdom. This wisdom,
then, is the Treasure of Treasures, the joy of paradise.

The section, “ De Vita,” concludes with a brief “ Di-
vitiarum hujus mundi avidis Epilogus,” warning against
laying up treasure on earth, rather to see those joys which
are in paradise, so that where the treasure is, there the
heart will be also. By the baits of the lust of the flesh,
the pride of life, and the desire of the eyes, the evil one
tries to make us keep from gaining the real treasure. He
then calls on his brethren to care nothing for earthly and
mundane glory. We need not be in difficulties. Consider
the lilies of the field, far more glorious than Solomon. Seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all will
be added. He calls His chosen ones to come into the garden
of paradise to gather myrrh and spices, to eat the honey-
comb with the honey, to drink wine with milk. All are
welcome ; the Spirit and the bride say come. The section
ends with the devout wish that, with humble hearts, minds,
bodies, and actions, adorned with devout prayers, we may
be led into the right way and regain paradise.

“ Liber Secundus, De Morte ” extends from page 83 to
page 97. It commences with the account of the battle
between the great dragon, the ancient serpent called the
Devil and Satan, and Michael the archangel. The heavens
rejoice, but the earth is filled with woe, and so it happened,
Eve became the instrument of the serpent, and the world
was ruined, death was introduced, and the world became
drowned in sin. The second chapter of this section treats
of the particular cause of the death and fall of Adam.
Filled with the spirit of God which had been breathed into
him, he was illumined by the true wisdom, and all things
were subject to him — his own powers and the terrene
existences. His mind was a palace of light. The Devil,
having been for pride cast down from heaven, sought to
destroy this perfect work of God. Knowing that man had

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

an earthly part as well as a celestial power, he resolved to
lay siege to the former. This was done in the person of
Eve, the more cold and humid, the darker and more imper-
fect existence. She showed Adam the fruit; she solicited*
him to eat it. The will of the Devil prevailed, and by
means of the carnal will of the woman, Adam is ruined, and
the universal misery of humanity is accomplished. Thus
the splendour of his wisdom is extinguished ; that body,
which had been bright as the face of Moses, became dark-
and sad. The pure mind, the innocence of man, is made
mortal, sinful, and impure — the heavenly is changed to the
earthly. Thus Adam, from being the habitation of- a good
daemon, became that of an evil spirit.

All this Scripture history, we are told in the next
chapter, teaches, that this led to the carnal knowledge of
Eve. The spirit, which before had been exalted in com- !
munication with the governors of the world, was now
turned earthward to carnal and fleeting delights. The
fascination of carnal delights effaced the purer joys. Tris-
megistus is quoted in support of this opinion, referring,
probably to the statement in the Pimander, “the cause of
death is the love of the body/’ “ He that through the error,
of Love, loved the Body, abideth wandering in darkness,
sensible, suffering the things of death ” (Everard, 12, 13).’
“ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but
is of the world” (1 John ii. 16). The spiritual eye of Adam
being closed by his sin, the bodily eyes pierced his naked-
ness. The fall of man was then caused by the knowledge
of the woman and earthly love. The gift of the woman
was not for carnal lust, but for a companion in the life of
contemplation. Thus, in all nations and peoples, barbarous
or civilised, the act of conjunction is secret and hidden. 1
And the curse of the serpent confirms this — “And I will
put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy

1 Evidently referring to the statement of S. Augustine, in his “City
of-God,” book xiv., chap^l7> - " • ' - ,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

seed and her seed/’ &c. The part which sinned is punished
— “ I will greatly multiply thy sorrows, and thy concep-
tion/’ &c. The seed of Cain was the result. That seed
still continues, and this was the cause of the new covenant
with Abraham, and why it had the seal of circumcision ;
and so afterwards He did not abhor the virgin’s womb, but,
by his purity and grace, did sanctify that part which was
involved in the transgression of Eve. “ Wherefore, blessed
is the barren that is undefiled, which hath not known the
sinful bed ; she shall have fruit in the visitation of souls.”
Hence the Psalmist, “ I was conceived and born in sin.”
The law of Moses as laid down in the fifteenth chapter of
Leviticus is also referred to. Fludd seems to hold that the
expression, “ increase and multiply,” had no reference to
the increase by ordinary generation, but by spiritual pro-
duction. “ Concludimus igitur, quod causa mortis et lapsus
Adami esset pulchritudinis corporis amor” (97). 1 Few find
the true way, most are rushing along the way of death ;
many called, but few chosen ; many are asked to the
marriage, but few prepare themselves.

The third division of the work is entitled “ De Resur-
rectione.” It extends from page 89 to page 126, in eight

1 See here also S. Augustine, “ City of God,” book xiv., chap. 22, 23,
&c. ; Origen Contra Celsum, book iv., chapter xxxix. The remarks of
S. Gregory Nazian. on the Garden of Eden are also worthy of notice
in this connection. God placed Adam in this paradise, “ a dresser of
immortal plants, perhaps of divine thoughts, both the simpler and
more perfect ; naked in simplicity and guileless life, and removed
from all cover and pretence, for such it became the original man to
be.” Adam gave way to the suggestion of the woman, “ who, being
taken out of the side of the man, typifies the lower and impulsive
or appetitive part of our nature.” “ Adam was not deceived, but
the woman being deceived, was in the transgression” (1 Tim. ii. 4).
Owen (Treatise of Dogmatic Theology, 235) well remarks — “All the in-
clinations of the sensual appetite were before the fall,” as Thorndike and
Taylor agree, “ but the disorder of them by it.” See in Forlong’s “ Rivers
of Life,” vol. i. 33, a remarkable illustration of the “ Temptation ” as
understood in the East. The Hebrews generally held that it was a “ fig,”
not an apple, which caused the fall of Eve. A basket of figs was one of
the most sacred objects in the possession of Bacchus, whose symbol was
always made of the wood of the ficus. In the East, “ eating forbiddeu
fruit was merely a figurative mode of expressing the performance of that
act necessary for the perpetuation of the human race, an act which in its
origin was thought to be the service of all evil ” (Forlong, i. 142). See also
upon the bruising of “head” and “ heel,” Jennings’ Rosicrucians, p. 310.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

chapters. He who is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and
the end, the Creator of all things, and is that Word who
was in the beginning with God, by which Word all things
were produced, He it is who became flesh, suffered death,
rose again from the dead, is Lord of all, and wages now
perpetual war against the Devil, the beast, and the false
prophet. Because the first Adam, terrestrial, and a man,
merely natural, by the fraud of the Devil became dis-
obedient, it was necessary that the second Adam should be
supernatural and celestial. The first Adam fell by dis-
obedience ; the second Adam, by His obedience, humility,
and patience, not only pacified the great Creator, but became
a vivifying Spirit. Death was introduced into the world by
the first Adam ; so, therefore, it was necessary that, by His
resurrection from the dead, the second Adam should
conquer the Devil. As in Adam all died, so in Christ
should all be made alive. Adam, by his first transgression,
sowed the earth with human bodies, with sepulchres and
monuments of death ; so the second Adam, by His obedience,
death and resurrection, raised the corruptible to incorrup-
tion, brought light from darkness, heaven to earth, life
immortal from death. The resurrection of Christ is the cause
of our minds being raised now and our bodies in the future.
He recalls the cases of Enoch and Elias, born in sin, and so
mortal, but by God’s power regenerated. This is a picture
of our higher life. It is impossible for us to know God,
who is a Spirit, whose majesty and essence our eyes are not
able to perceive ; yet the best picture is fire, flame, and
light. Fire always tends to rise upwards and to leave the
earth. This he illustrates by an experiment. Much more
so the light, uncreated, which is the splendid and holy
wisdom, clearly showing forth from God, which is far more
precious than the sun and the stars. When this light
shone forth, the delights of that brightness were with, and
to, the sons of men. It is this light which lights up human
nature to Paradise. It liberates the souls of men ; they
rise from darkness to heaven, just as the light and heat of

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

the sun cause the wheat, apparently dead, to show new life/
So the heavenly light and heat will cause our bodies to
assume a perfect form and to rise above the earth. It, too,
shall at last, as by fire, renew the whole face of the earth.
The icon of God is to be seen in the fiery sword, in the
burning bush, in the fiery pillar, in the fire descending
from heaven, in the brightness and light of the angels at
the nativity of Christ, and in the lightning seen at other-
times . 1

The Word took flesh and tabernacled on this earth, to
teach men the way of truth and to explain the command-
ments of the Father. This life was, as S. John says,
manifest to us, and we have seen, and heard, and testify,
and announce. This is the tree of life, which who so pos-
sesses has eternal life, and is passed from death to life.
Immortal powers abode in that sacred Word, as He declared
to S. Peter, “if I should ask the Father, and He would give
me twelve legions of angels.” But He had to suffer, die,
and the third day He rose again, triumphant over death.
His mortal body became perfectly purified from material
existence, and became most subtile and impalpable. It was
the Eternal Spirit, the Light Incarnate, which did this.
So that same Spirit shall renovate man and make his
body like that of Enoch and Elias, and lift him up to

1 Light, bright and pure, is the emblem or symbol of God, as gross
darkness — the blackness of darkness — is the symbol of the evil power.
The magi were led to the cradle of the infant Christ by the light of a star.
These sages of the East knew that truth alone could make man like God,
“ whose body resembles light, as his soul or spirit resembles truth.” It
was the want of the oil to make the light in the lamps which caused the
exclusion of the foolish virgins from the great marriage feast of heavenly
glory. Indeed, the conflict of light and darkness is the foundation of all
religions. “Akin to the school of the ancient fire believers and of the
magnetists of a later period, arc the Theosophists of the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries. These practised chemistry, by which they
asserted they could explain the profoundest secrets of nature As
they strove, above all earthly knowledge, after the divine, and sought the
divine light and fire, through which all men can acquire the true wisdom,
they were called the Fire Philosophers (philosophi per iynemj. The most
distinguished of these are Theophrastus Paracelsus. . . Robert Flood

or Fludd, &c.” (Euncmozer, Histy. of Magic, quoted by Jennings, “ Indian
Religions,” p. 138). “ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of

the moon to shine in it ; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the
Lamb is the light thereof” (Rev. xxi. .23).

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

heaven. This quickening Spirit had its dwelling in the last
Adam. This is that true light which lighteth every man
that cometh into the world. Blessed, then, is he who dies
in Christ, for Christ is the cause of his resurrection. It
was this life-giving Spirit which succoured Elijah. He
asked to die, but having tasted of the fruit of the tree
of life, his body was purified, and he was rendered
capable of passing from the world without tasting of
death. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
heaven yet ; as Enoch and Elijah do so, other men may
do so. But, as on Mount Tabor, Christ Himself became
bright, and His face shone in the sun, and His raiment
became whiter than any fuller on earth could white
them ; so, as we hear that Elijah went up in a chariot
of fire, by that spiritual fire he was purged and cleansed,
and rendered pure, bright, and clear. The Holy Spirit
shall, therefore, revive all who sleep in Christ. The
greatest gift of all will be when, after the resurrection,
those who have passed through it will be united to Him,
drawn to Him, and so remain with Him for ever. The life
and appearance on the mount of Moses and Elias will show
what our resurrection bodies shall be — pure, yet evident
one from another. “ For God created man to be immortal,
and made him to be an image of His own eternity.” “ Seek
not death, then, in the error of your ways, and pull not
upon yourselves destruction with the work of your hands .” 1

Fludd takes a dark view of the state of man and society
in his time. The Devil was truly then prince of this world,
and men led captive through sin and greed. Those who
were really sons of God were the light in the Word. Chief
among these are the brethren of the Rosy Cross. They
have all virtues. Their light is greater than the rising
sun. We have, he exclaims, “ Leonem fortissimum solem
devorantem.” They possess the true alchemy. Hence,
then, false alchemists, intoxicated with ignorance, who only
seek to make metallic gold and care nothing for the

1 Wisdom, ii. 23 ; i. 13,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

heavenly and celestial treasure. He then, addressing the
Brethren of the R. C., refers to the passage in the “ Fama”
descriptive of the heptagonal monument, supposed to be
found in the famous vault, “ which was enlightened with
another Sun, which was situated in the upper part in
the centre of the building.” There was found the body
of Brother R. C., and the inscription, “Jesus mihi omnia.”
That sun was but an image of Jesus Christ. We are
therefore to watch, for we know not, neither do angels
know, when the Son of Man, the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, shall have His advent. He draws out a simile from
the address to the church at Philadelphia in the Apocalypse,
quotes in support a passage from the “ Fama,” and has
a reference to the “ Romani seductiones impuri.” That last
advent will be shortly before the time when the stone cut
out without hands smites Nebuchadnezzar’s image upon his
feet, which were of iron and clay, and brake them in pieces.
Then shall be accomplished full} 7 the vision of Ezekiel,
when the Spirit came from the four winds upon the dead
bodies and they arose, an exceeding great army ; then were
gathered before God all nations, and He separated them as
a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. After the
dismissal of all souls into their eternal habitations, death
shall be destroyed for ever. A new heaven and a new
earth shall be prepared, the city descend from heaven,
and the tabernacle of God shall be with man, and all tears,
grief, and sorrow be for ever dissipated. Let, then, the
brethren of the R. C., with pure hearts and minds, lift up
their heads with joy and gladness. The sun has arisen in
the east, the Lion has come, the splendid carbuncle has
dissipated the rays of darkness, impurity is expelled from
the world. Adore God, in light eternal, with the highest
praises. Blessed shall be those eyes which shall be illumi-
nated by the spiritual splendour and light. Blessed be God,
who hath revealed His hidden mysteries to His chosen,
and hath now expelled from the earth all impurity and
contention. Blessed be Thou, 0 lion of the tribe of Judah,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

and sun above the heavenly New Jerusalem. 0 Ruby !
whose blood is the salvation of the faithful ; 0 Carbuncle !
who by thy splendour and clearness illuminates mankind ;
0 tree of life ; 0 bright light of eternal life ; 0 mirror
without spot of God’s majesty, true wisdom, and holy
knowledge ! “ Tibi sit laus, tibi sit gloria infinita, tibi sit

honos immortalis, et adoratio sempiterna. Amen.”

CHAPTER IX.

The “ Utriusque Cosmi Historia ” begun, 1617 — Title — Svastika — a Sun
Symbol — Macrocosm — Microcosm — Explained — Dedications — “ 0
Natura Naturans ” — Views of Fludd on the Divine Immanence —
King James his patron — Interview — The “ Historia ” never com-
pleted — Illustrations in the text — Described — Circular Motion in
Creation — Boehme — The Triangle the emblem of God — Original
Darkness — Illustrations — His ideas those of Paracelsus — The
separation of the lighter or purer and the denser part of substance —
“ Materia Confusa” — Chaos — The three regions of the Macrocosm —
The Habitation of God before Universe created — “ Darkness His
Secret Place” — “ Fiat lux ” — Clearest light, purest heat — The
Abyss — The Music of the Spheres — Aristotle — Plato — Distaff of
Necessity — Paths of the Planets — The Cross Movement of Light —
Daemons in Three Hierarchies — Composition of Daemons — Lucifer —
“ Anima quid?” — Anima Mundi — Jupiter — The Starry Heaven —
The Sun — Fountain of all Life — Copernicus — Gilbert — Ptolemaic
System — Mixed Bodies — Clouds, &c.

HTHE year 1617 saw also the publication of the first part
of the largest of Fludd’s works. It is entitled,
“ Utriusque Cosmi Maioris scilicet et Minoris Metaphysica,
Physica Atque Technica Historia.” It promises to treat
of these subjects in two volumes, “ Au there Roberto Flud
alias de Fluctibus, Armigero et in Medicina Doctore Oxoni-
ensi ” The first volume is to treat “ de Metaphysico
Macrocosmi et Creaturarum illius ortu. Physico Macrocosmi
in generatione et corruptione progressu.” This is the first
treatise. The second, to be included in the same first
volume, is, “ de Arte Naturse simia in Macroeosmo producta,
&c., nempe Arithmeticam, Musicam, Geometriam, Per-
spectivam, Artem Pietoriam, Artem Militarem, Motus et
Temporis Scientiam, Cosmographiam, Astrologiam, Geoman-
tiam.” The first part of the first volume was printed at

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Oppenheim, “ iEre Johan-Theodori de Bry, Typis Hieronymi
Galleri Anno 1617.” Fludd tells us 1 the reason why his
books were printed abroad in his controversy with Foster.
‘‘ 1 sent them beyond the seas, because our home-borne
Printers demanded of me five hundred pounds to print the
first volume, and to find the cuts in copper; but, beyond
the seas, it was printed at no cost of mine, and that as
I would wish. And I had 16 copies sent me over, with
40 pounds in gold, as an unexpected gratuitie for it.” At
the first glance, the engraved title-page will show the
enquiring reader that no ordinary work is before him. A
mass of clouds surround the whole page. Below the title
is a diagram of macrocosm and the microcosm. A four-

fold cord surrounds the circle, which is being drawn by
Time, represented as a winged being with hoofs, who,
walking upon the clouds, draws the rope with both hands ;
on his head stands the sandglass, which is surmounted
by the " svastika ” or cross. 2 Looking at the circle below,
we find the outer part, with the sun and moon, &c., enclos-
ing the inner — the microcosm — in the circle of which stands,
with feet and hands extended, touching the circle at all
points, a naked youth. Surrounding the border are the
signs of the Zodiac, and towards the centre certain circles,
“ Pituita Sanguis Cholera.” The centre itself represents the
earthty globe. It may be useful to explain here what the
terms “ macrocosmos ” and “ microcosmos ” mean. The
former refers to “ the universe — the great world, including
all visible and invisible things ” ; the latter, the little
world. Usually applied to man. A smaller world is a

1 Squeesing of Foster’s Sponge, 21.

2 The use of this symbol by Fludd is remarkable. It is only recently

that its widespread existence has been shown, by Prof. Max Muller and
Mrs Murray-Aynsley, “a sun symbol” [and so a time symbol] “of the
greatest antiquity, and still equally reverenced throughout the East b}'
Buddhists, Hindus, and Mahometans as a talisman of the highest conspicu-
ousness and potency. The swastika has been found in nearly every
country in Europe. . . . The swastika was an abbreviated emblem of

the solar wheel, with spokes in it, the tyre and the movement being
indicated by the crampons” (Simpson’s “ Praying Wheel,” chap. vi. —
“The Svastika” ; Murray- Aynsley’s “ Symbolism,” 46-62.)

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

microcosm if compared with a larger one. Our solar
system is a microcosm in comparison with the universe, and
a macrocosm if compared with the earth. Man is a micro-
cosm in comparison with the earth, and a macrocosm if
compared with an atom of matter . 1 Fludd’s work on the
cosmos has prefixed to it two dedications ; one, ft Deo
Optimo Maximo, Creatori Meo Incomprehensibili.” In this

From title page of volume i. of “ Utriusque Cosmi Historia.”

he adores God as the Spirit of Holy Order, who, after the
fall of Adam, didst preserve in him the sparks of reason,
and who, when Adam had immersed himself in the most
wretched abyss of darkness, didst recussitate him, revive
and raise him to the highest point of true knowledge.
Fludd prays that he may be lifted up to a true resurrection,
to share the joy of the heavenly country, and that God may

1 Hartmann’s Paracelsus, 36.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

be favourable and propitious to him, of all most unworthy.
It is in the commencement of this dedication that the
expression occurs, “ O Natura naturans,” addressed to the
Deity . 1 It has been supposed, from this and some other
expressions in Fludd’s works, that he has “ advanced a
doctrine of the Divine Immanence which betrays a strong
pantheistic tendency .” 2 Certainly Fludd teaches “ the
immediate presence of God in all nature. Spirit is the
Catholic element of the universe. It is- invoked by the
prophet to come from the four winds and vivify the dead
bones .” 3 Fludd starts from the hypothesis that “ all things
were compleatly and ideally in God and of God before they
were made ; that from God all things did flow and spring,
namely, out of a secret and hidden nature to a revealed and
manifest condition.” This he illustrates from'Trismegistus
— “ God is the centre of everything, whose circumference is
no where to be found.” “ Ipse est omnia in omnibus.” 4

But to return to the work before us. The second dedi-
cation is to King James, whom he designs the “ minister,
and one next in power to the Emperor of heaven and
earth,” and for whom he wishes the fruition of light
celestial by the illumination of the Holy Spirit. After
commending the work to his patronage, Fludd subscribes
himself, “ Tuae Majestati devotissimus et subditissimus It.
Fludd.” It appears, according to our author, that “ King
James, of everlasting memorie for his Justice, Pietie, and
Great Learning, was by some envious persons moved against
me . . but when I came unto him, and liee in his great

wisdome had examined the truth and circumstance of every
point touching this scandalous report, which irregularly and
untruly was related of me, hee found me so cleare in my
answer, and I him so regally learned and gracious in him-
self, and so excellent and subtile in his inquisitive objections,
as well touching other points as this [the weapon salve],

1 This expression is that of Giordano Bruno, “ naturizing nature.”
See Hunt, Sketches of Italian Renee., 312.

2 Nat. Dicty. of Big., in voce Fludd, R. 3 Hunt, Essay, 241.

4 Mos. Phil., 1659, p. 133-4.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

that instead of a checke (I thank my God), I had much
grace and honour from him, and received from that time
forward many gracious favours of him, and I found him my
just and kingly patron all the days of his life.” 1 In
defence of the Rosy Cross fraternity, Fludd addressed a
“ Declaratio brevis” to King James. This was Avith the
intention of defending the society from the suspicions of
theologians. “ To this declaration were annexed con-
firmatory letters of French and German associates.” 2

The great work on the “ Cosmos ” was never completed.
It was intended to have been in two volumes — the first, as
noted above, to contain two treatises ; the second, three
treatises. But it was only completed so far as the first
section of the second treatise of the second volume.
Although the work as avo ha\ T e it was not finished till the
year 1624, it will be most convenient to take a vieAv here
of the whole, so far as issued. Perhaps the most interesting
items in it are the copperplate illustrations. These are
extremely curious. Following the dedication to King
James is a folded sheet, entitled at the top, “ Integra
Naturae speculum, Artisque imago.” The “ speculum ” is
circular. At the top stand in cloud, surrounded by a
glory, the Sacred Name ; a hand issuing holds a chain,
which, Q’oirm down, is fastened on the hand of the universal
mother. She has a starry nimbus, and is adorned Avith the
sun and moon on her breasts. From the sun, Avhich coA^ers
the right breast, issues a fructifying shoAver. In her left
hand she too holds a chain which stretches down to the
“ Ape of Nature,” Avho is seated on the top of the earth
applying a compass to a lesser circle, under Avhich is the
division of the sciences allotted to arithmetic. The “ Ape,”
or “ imitator ” of Nature, represents Art in its different
forms. The system, in circle, as drawn by Fludd, has at
the three outermost regions, illumined by tongues of fire,

1 Squeesing of Foster’s Sponge, 21.

- Biog. Dicty. , in voce R. F. The MS. is still preserved in the
Library of the B. Museum.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

three orders of angels; cherubim highest, next seraphim,
then what appear to be either ransomed souls or more
ordinary angelic beings. The next innermost circle is
labelled “ Coelum Stellatum ” ; then follow seven sphrerse,
those of the planets; then circles labelled Animalia, Vege-
tabilia, Mineralia, Artes Libcraliores, &c. At either side
are the male and female persons and qualities. On the
male side, man, the lion, the serpent, the dolphin, grapes,
trees, gold, lead, antimony, iron, the sign of Saturn, con-
nected with the outer “ Sphmra Saturni.” On the feminine
side, we have woman, the eagle, the snail, the fishes, wheat,
flowers and roots, silver, copper, “ Auripigmentum, sal
Armoniacum,” with the sign of Venus, connected with the
“ Sphmra Veneris.” Inner circles have on them the dif-
ferent sciences, including emblems of the agricultural art.
In the centre of all is the earth, on each side of which is a
picture of the art of distilling. As mentioned before, the
“ A Pe of Nature ” sits upon the central globe. The soul of
the world, Fludd tells us, according to Zoroaster and Hera-
clitus, may be described as “ ignis invisibilis.” Nature,
he adds in his explanation of this plate, “Non Dea, sed
proxima Dei ministra.”

The next plate represents the universe as newly formed,
the central circle being the world in which we live, and
shows the Temptation, Adam, Eve, the Serpent, indeed, a
number of serpents and living creatures. Around the earth
is the sea, in which are seen fishes and huge eels, or perhaps
sea serpents, disporting themselves. Next is the atmosphere,
in which birds are flying ; then the moon in its course,
followed by the planets and the sun in their courses ; after
which, in a fieiy region, are the angels and heavenly
powers. At the upper side may be seen the Divine Spirit,
in the form of a dove, surrounded by a nimbus and glory,
flying heavenward, the creation being finished.

As all Fludd’s pictures represent the macrocosmos or
universe in a series of circles, each one surrounding the
preceding, a few words may here be said as to this circular

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

idea. The creation thus viewed is that in Holy Scripture
— ■“ The Lord sitteth upon the circle of the earth.” Ezekiel
the prophet “ first saw or heard a whirlwind out of the
north ” (which may suggest to us the Almighty will of God
as the impelling power), “ and he beheld a thick cloud, and
a fire unfolding itself, circling and whirling about itself.”
This fire is the “ wheel of birth ” — the “ hearth of Life, or
the mother and nurse of Life.” This is the “ centrum
naturae” of this circle, the mid point is everywhere —
“ cujus centrum ubique ” — £> active at all points, dominating
and penetrating the whole region.” 1 Fire is the “ element”
which first existed, or was created or evolved. Conse-
quently, Fludd gives a picture of the sun in her full glory,
adding, “ Sub hac enim forma Ethnici et prsesertim
Orientales Deum adorant.”

In the first chapter he describes “ natura” as “ spiritus
immensus, ineffabilis,” but not “ intelligibilis.” God is the
artificer of all, he concludes from the consent of the most
of the ancient philosophers, “ omne nomen habere, quoniam
omnia sunt in ipso et ipse in omnibus.” Man is the image
of God, “ in forma humana.” God is also figured, if that be
possible, by the Triangle, of which Fludd gives a demon-
stration — a Triangle within a circle ; the space outside it,
but within the circle, is “ Coelum trinitatis.” Inside the
Triangle are three inner circles of heavens — “ Empyreum,
AEthereum, Elementare ” — in the centre of all, the earth.
Fludd goes on to speak in the succeeding chapters, “ De
materise primae origine.” Some held, he tells us, that
water was the original of all created things, others that a
more solid, rudimentary, chaotic substance existed. He
then gives his own opinion that the first material which
existed was “ Ens primordiale, infinitum, informe, nec
parvum, nec magnum.” Without motion, colour, or percep-
tion, in fact, “ without form and void,” shrouded in
darkness, he gives a square illustration, a black and

1 Martinsen’s Boehme, 76-78 ; also, Boehme, “Three Principles,”
1650, 7, 8, 15, &c.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

formless sheet of darkness, which he labels “ Et sic in
infinitum.” The most wise Maker of the world, who said,
" T am the light of the world,” the true light, and the father
of lights, brooded upon the waters. Light was created first
of all ; then the beginning of order took effect. Light is
pure fire, undivided, yet capable of multiplying itself
endlessly, and is of a divine nature. It is light which gives
the angelic world its glory and splendour. God dwells “ in
light inaccessible.” He now gives a repetition of his last
illustration, but in the centre of the former blank darkness
is a circle, from which radiates beams or oar-like projections
of light. Order has commenced, chaos is being dispelled.
Thus “ the Light is the life of men.” Thus from chaos,
watery yet capable, and light acting upon it, is produced
all substance, life, and action. The ideas here given are
those of Paracelsus. “ The chaos has been compared to a
receptacle of germs, out of which the macrocosmos and,
afterwards by division and evolution in ‘ mysteria specialia/
each separate being came into existence. All things and all
elementary substances were contained in it — ■ in potentia,’
but not ‘in actu ’ — in the same sense as in a piece of wood
a figure is contained which may be cut out by the artist, or
as heat is contained in a pebble, that may manifest its
existence as a spark if struck with a piece of steel.” 1

The purer part of the elementary substance rose into
the upper, the heavenly, and more divine part of the
macrocosmos, but the denser remained below. This applies
also to angelic existences, and to the nature of man. Four
distinctions are made. “ Seraphim,” Virtues and Powers,
are“Ignei”; “ Cherubim,” Terrestres ; Thrones and Arch-
angels, “ Acquatici” ; Dominions and Powders, “ Aerei.” Hence
the expression, “ fountain of life”; hence the purging and
cleansing, consuming fire spoken of by Moses and S. Paul.
In splendour, light, and brightness the seraphim are next
to the mansion, or dwelling-place of the Trinity. The same

1 Hartmann’s “ Paracelsus,” p. 42,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

four principles apply to the influence of the planets and the
Zodiacal signs.

Fludd agrees with Paracelsus as to the nature of the
chaos. He calls it “materia confusa et indigesta moles, in qua
omnia, puta, quatuor elementa, erant confusa et commixta.”

As the first book of the treatise is entitled, “ De
Macrocosmi principiis,” so the second proceeds a step
onwards. It is, “ De Macrocosmi fabrica.” The macrocosm
has three “ regiones ” — the highest, the middle, and the
lower. The highest includes the “ heavens ” of the Trinity,
the Empyreum, and the Crystallinum. The highest region
is formed of perfect light and purest spirit. The middle
region of the macrocosmos is the place of the stars. The
state of this region is of a lesser light, and of a spirit
neither very gross nor very subtile. The third and lower
region is of three parts, of which the first “ est ignis
tabernaculum ” ; the second is the place of the earth ; the
middle is the humid region of air and water ; the consti-
tution of the inferior is light grosser and spirit less pure.
The Archetypal world remains in the Divine mind. In
illustration, the rapture of S. Paul and the vision in the
first chapter of Ezekiel’s prophecy are referred to.

The second chapter of this book deals with the awful
question of the habitation of God before the creation of the
universe. The eleventh verse of the eighteenth Psalm is
quoted in explanation — “ He made darkness his secret
place.” Although utterly uncompelled by any inward force,
God formed in His mind what in form, structure, and
essence the macrocosm should be. Through the power of
love it became existent. The Spirit, the third person of
the Holy Trinity, is that fiery love which, brooding over
the wateiy chaos, imparted to it power and motion. All
then formed and drawn forth was most subtile, simple, and
noble, and this power in the Spirit of God is acknowledged
by the Ethnics. The Chaldeans called this power, pro-
ceeding from the Father and the Word, the fiery love.
This Spirit has, however, no form or shape.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

The saying of the Divine word, “ Fiat Lux,” is illus-
trated by a diagram, in which, on a black square, is formed
a circle. This circle is made by the Spirit of God in the
form of a dove. At the top of the diagram is the Divine
“ Fiat,” and light has been borne in a circular progress by
the Divine Dove, which thus acts, returning back to the
part from which the “Fiat” issued. Hence the circular
forms in the universe. But the heaven itself is pure light.
The light of an oblique revolution dispelled all darkness.
The supreme heaven, being the particular abode of the
Deity, is, therefore, the abode of the clearest light and
purest heat, which is evolved by the motion of the universe.
It is from its fiery nature that Empyrean derives its name.
The Crystalline — the sea in the revelation of S. John —
refers to the clearness of an Empyrean. “ There were
in the chaos an infinite darkness in the abyss or bottomless
depth, and water, and a subtile spirit intelligible in power,
and there went out the holy lights, and the elements were
coagulated from the sand out of the moist surface.” 1 The
Empyrean was formed of three parts of the thinnest fire,
and one part of the most subtile spirit. After treating of
the nature of the second heaven, we come to the author’s
ideas and thoughts as to the third heaven, after which
follows special chapters — •“ De elemento ignis,” “ De ele-
mento terras,” “ De sphrera media,” “ De elementorum
forma ” — and with some experiments in natural science the
book closes.

The next book, of about thirty pages, treats “ De
Musica mundana.”

“ The music of the spheres,” the idea of the Pythago-
reans, of which Aristotle 2 says “ that the noise caused by
the movement of the heavenly bodies is so prodigious and
continuous that, being accustomed to it from our birth, we
do not notice it.” Plato, in his “ Republic ,” 3 speaks of the
“ distaff of necessity . . whose spindle and point were

both of adamant,” and that on the circle of each of the
1 Hermes Trig., iii. 3. 2 De Ccelo, ii. 9. 3 x. 14.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

eight “ was seated a siren, carried round, and uttering one
voice variegated by diverse modulations, but that the whole
of them, being eight, composed one harmony.” This theory
was held by the Rosicrucians, and particularly by Fludd,
who, in the part of his work on the “ Cosmos ” under
review, gives some veiy curious plates illustrating his ideas.
These appear to be that the whole universe is a musical
chromatic instrument. Earthly music is only the faint
“ tradition of the angelic state ; it remains in the mind of
man as a dream of, and the sorrow for, the lost paradise.”
The music of the spheres is “ produced from impact upon
the paths of the planets, which stand as chords or strings,
by the cross travel of the sun from note to note, as from
planet to planet.” The music of the spheres is evolved,
then, by the “ combination of the cross movement of the
holy light playing over the lines of the planets, light
flaming as the spiritual ecliptic, or the gladius of the
Archangel Michael to the extremities of the solar system.
Thus are music, colour, and language allied.” 1

On page 90 of this treatise Fludd gives a diagram illus-
trating his meaning. He represents there a sphere covered
by a musical instrument with one string or cord, the sun as
the centre of the illustration. A number of concentric
circles represent the issue of the different notes. The earth
is placed at the bottom of the plate, and the string of the
instrument is hooked on to a catch flxed “ in Terra.” The
last chapter of this part of the work treats “ He discordis
mundanis.” These proceed from the chaotic or frigid spirit.
Comets and meteors mar the true music; clouds, snow, hail,
prevent it. He ends — ■“ Concludimus itaque nostram hanc
Musicam mundanam hoc axiom ate ; Tonat Sol Diapason
suum ad generationem, et tonat terra suum ad corrup-
tionem.”

The next part of the treatise is “ De creaturis coeli
Empyrei.” These are, first of all, Daemons, good and bad.
Good, nine in these hierarchies — Seraphim, Cherubim,

1 Jennings, 197-8.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Thrones ; Dominions, Virtues, Powers ; Princes, Archangels,
Angels. Bad, said by Psellus to be six in kind, though by
theologians said to be nine in order. This part of Fludd’s
work extends in seventeen chapters to sixty pages.

Of the “ composition” of good Daemons he holds, with
Pytha goras, that they are “ lights intellectual/’ He quotes
Dionysius and Jamblicus to show that Daemons are formed
of the most subtile of those elements which heaven affords,
in a divine form, with something of the splendour of the
Deity. Ancient wisdom divided Daemons into three
“ genera ” — “ praecelestes, coelestes et rerum inferiori,
ministri.” They are called by Jamblicus, ministers of the
gods, but may in a sense be themselves called gods. But
the term “ minister ” is more properly applied to the lesser
orders.

Lucifer in rebellion and pride against God, is the
subject of another chapter. He it is who in the Apocalypse,
on account of his virulence and craftiness, is called the
Dragon and Serpent— the very cacodaemon detained in sub-
terranean and dark abode, the very spirit of wickedness.
The whole nine orders are described and the names of their
princes given — Beelzebub, Python, “ et mulier Pythia
apud Samuelem dicitur, quae Pythonem in ventre habuit”;
Belial, Asmodaeus, Satan, Meririm, Abaddon, Astaroth,
Mammon. The places they haunt are also described on the
authority of Psellus. Some are watery and sea-forms,
frequent rivers and marshes, cause horrible tempests ; some
walk about on the earth as in the old days of Job; some
lurk in caverns. Indeed, Fludd seems to think that the
darkness of the northern regions has something to do with
the habitation and life of evil spirits. On the authority of
Olaus Magnus, the darker parts of the earth are not only
full of “ cruel habitations,” but Larvae, Leniures “ sub forma
bestiarum,” Satyrs, “ Panes,” Harpies, and a great number —
infinite indeed — of Daemons walk about in the tempests of
night. It is by the power and wish of Lucifer that snow
does not cease nor ice melt in the hyperborean lands.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

There strange flames and fiery meteors are to be seen, hence
the region is called " Terra-del-fuogo.” The prince of the
power of the air named by S. Paul is the daemon Meririm.
Some live in the Alps, Apennines, and Pyrenees ; they
delight in caverns. The Chinese and inhabitants of Mada-
gascar actually worship and do sacrifice to such evil spirits.

In the eighth to the eleventh chapters the question is
put, “ Anima quid ?” and discussed. In answer to the
question, Augustine, Damascene, Isodore, Bernard, and
other saints and philosophers are quoted and their expli-
cation stated. The soul or life principle is explained, in a
fivefold sense, to be light divine, a spiritual substance,
rational intellect, intellectual spirit, and part of the “ Mens
divina.” “ It is an intellectual spirit, always living, always
in motion, and in respect of its diverse operations in the
body, it hath divers appellations assigned unto it ; for it is
called Life, in regard of its vivificative and vegetative
property ; it is called a Spirit, as it is conversant about
contemplation, and it is a spiritual substance, and breatheth
in the body ; it is called Sense, as it is imploied about the
act of sensation ; it is termed Animus, when it operate th in
knowledge and wisdom ; and it is termed Mens, in regard
to its divine understanding ; and Memory, as it doth

remember .” 1

The tenth chapter treats of the “ Anima Mundi.” That
the world has a soul, Fludd tells us, was the opinion of all
the Platonists, of Virgil, of Boethius. As the microcosmos
(man) has a soul, so must the macrocosmos have a soul
also. This “ supreme intelligence ” is of “ an angelicall
nature ” ; “ Donum Dei Catholicum ” — “ God is all, and
in all, and above all, and that in Him are all things, and
in His spirit and word all things consist. God is in
everything that existeth, seeing that from Him, by Him,
and in Him are all things.” “ He is male and female,”
as Synesius saitli ; or, as Mercurius Trismegistus will
have it, “ He is most abundant in each sex ; He is

1 Mosaic. Phil., 150.

DOCTOR ROBERT tLUDD.

puissance and act ; and, finally, He is form, and He is
matter.” It is evident that Fludd leans here to what is
termed a “ pantheistic” explanation of God in nature. In
the work before us he undoubtedly holds, as mentioned
before, that all things were “ complicity and ideally” in
God before the} r were made. The doctrine of Averrhoes,
“ that there is in reality but one soul, which is the totality
of all individual souls,” was refuted by Albertus Magnus,
yet he “ accepted a kind of Platonic emanation of all
things from the Godhead.” Erigena held that the universe,
having no existence independent of God’s existence, is
therefore God, but not the whole of God. He is more than
the universe, yet the divine nature is truly and properly
in all things. 1 There is no doubt that Plato’s system
tended to regard all beings “ as in some way but one being.”
Though unguarded in some of his expressions, FJudd does
not embrace the opinion of Cato, “ wheresoever we move,
wheresoever we go, whatsoever we see, that is Jupiter.” 2
Fludd would rather have been content to say, with Virgil,
“ all things are full of Jupiter.”

The next section of Fludd’s “ Historia ” refers to the
starry heaven, and is entitled, “ De Creaturis coeli tetherei.”
These are spirit, light, stars, and planets. The third chapter
treats, “ De earum origine, loco, et diversitate.” This heaven,
where the heavenly bodies are, is between “ the formal 1 or
empereall heaven ” and the earth. It was typified by the
“ second part of the Tabernacle, which was burnished over
with gold, and illuminated with a candlestick of seven
lights which doth decypher out the starry heaven, and has
seven erratick lights or planets.”

The sun, Fludd considers, is the centre and fountain of
all life, all heat proceeds from it, and there has God placed
his tabernacle. It must have a centre, and there God
dwells. Divine power issues forth from the sun. Thus
“ the heavens declare the glory of God.” The sun is full of
essential divinity, and took its origin when the light, which
1 Hunt, Pantheism, 159, 139. 2 Hunt, Pantheism, 48.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLIJDD.

was expansed over all the heavens in place of the sun, was
in the fourth day of creation. Congregated into the body
of the sun, all the herbs and plants do feel and confess that
the sun is the chief cause of life and increase. In the
conclusion, Fludd attempts to confute the “ error ” of Coper-
nicus and Gilbert, asserting the diurnal revolution of the
earth. Copernicus, in his book, “ De Revolutionibus,”
incontestably established the heliocentric theory, the Pytha-
gorean system of astronomy, which held the sun, not the
earth, to be the central orb. This showed the infinite
distance of the fixed stars, and that the earth was but a
point in the heavens. The Ptolemaic or geocentric system,
which placed the earth in the central place in the universe,
gave man a place of superiority, and was stiffly upheld by
the church against the discoveries of Copernicus. The
theory of the latter “ seemed to diminish the claims of the
earth in the Divine regard. If each of the countless myriads
of stars was a sun surrounded by revolving globes peopled
with responsible beings like ourselves, if we had fallen
so easily and had been redeemed at such a stupendous price
as the death of the Son of God, how was it with them ?” 1
It is true that Fludd regarded the sun as the source of
continued life and the tabernacle of God, but he did not
realise, nor could he, the immensity of space, the magnificent
expanse of the universe as known to us — the result of the
discoveries of Copernicus, Galileo, and the use of the tele-
scope. Holding that all science was comprehended in the
Bible, Fludd may be excused if at his time he failed to
realise the greater magnificence of discoveries which were
then only commencing to revolutionise ancient science and
older methods of investigation. Gilbert, whom Fludd calls
his colleague, was the most famous and successful of the
physicians of Elizabeth’s and James I. reign. He spent
eighteen years in preparation and experiment before issuing
his work, “ De Magneti,” which treats “ of the magnet (or
loadstone) and magnetical bodies, and of that Great Magnet,

1 Draper, Science and Religion, 16S-9.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

the Earth ” — a book mentioned by Lord Bacon with
applause. 1

The sixth book, “ De Macrocosm i/’ treats, “ De creaturis
coeli elementaris ” — the lower heaven. These creatures are
mostly inanimate — metals and minerals, comets, meteors,
plants, vegetables, and animate animals.

The seventh and last book of the first part of the
“ Historia ” is “ De corporibus imperfecte mixtis ” — clouds,
lightnings and thunder, winds and springs. Thus ends the
“ Tractatus Primus.”

1 Chalmers’ Biog. Die., xv. 497-8.

CHAPTER X.

1618 — Second part of the “ Historia ” — Two Editions — Title Page — Fludd’s
Personal History in the Dedication — Arithmetic — Music — Geomancy
— This part when prepared — Ideas of Letters — Temple of Music on
Mount Parnassus — Illustrations — Fludd’s New Instrument of Music
— Optics — and experiments — Painting — Mermaids — Geometry —
— Figures — Military Art — Fortifications — Plates — Motion —
Machines — From the Four Elements — Time — Dialling — Cosmography
— Maps — Geomancy — History of this — Fludd at Avignon — Uses of
Geomantic Art — The Jesuits and the Youth — The Divine Message
can be given through the body.

next year, 1618, saw the publication of the first

edition of the second part of the “ Historia Technica.”
It is entitled “ Tractatus Secundus De Naturae Simia seu
Technica macrocosmi historia, in partes undecim divisa.” It
was issued from Oppenheim by Theodore de Bry. A second
edition, exactly the same as the first, was issued at Frankfort
in 1624, “ Sumptibus hteredum Johannis Theodori de Bry ;
Typis Caspari Rotelii.” The title page is interesting. It
is, however, cut in halves rather awkwardly for the second
edition. Being engraved, it was not possible to alter the
date to suit the second issue, so the upper part of the
plate was cut off — a pillared and figured top — the com-
pletion of the first edition is amissing in the second. The
lower part of the picture is therefore the same in both
editions, and consists of a circle bounded by pillared sides.
In the centre of the circle the “ Ape of Nature,” in true
simian form, is seated on the top of the globe, with a
pointer in his right paw. The outer circle is divided into
eleven parts, which have filled into them emblems, or
rather picture scenes, representing arts and sciences. These

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

are, arithmetic, music, geometry, the pictorial art, the
military art ; de tempore, viz., the horological art ; the
art de cosmographia, astrologia, the geomantic art. This
elaborate work, full of curious pictures, plans, and plates,
extends to 788 pages, besides the index.

To us the introductory note, “ Lectori Benevolo,” is
interesting, for in it are contained a few items of Fludd’s
personal history, otherwise unknown to us. It consists of
two pages in bold type. In it Fludd informs the benevolent
reader that, in foreign and ultramarine regions, shortly
after his graduation, he spent about six years in France,
Spain, Italy, and Germany ; he was solicited by princes and
other noble friends of his to give instruction.

The first treatise in the tractate, that on Arithmetic,
was composed for the private instruction of Charles de
Loraine, Duke of Guise.

Those on Geometry, Perspective, and on the Military
Art, for a noble youth of the highest hopes, dead alas, by
violent means, Francis de Loraine, knight of the Guisian
family.

The portion of the tractate on Music, “ et artem me-
morise,” for the Marquess de Orizon and Viscount de Cadenet.
The part on Cosmography he dedicates to the memory of his
father, “ cujus anima sit in benedictione.”

That on the art of Geoinancy he prepared in the last
year of the reign of Elizabeth (1G03), for a most noble
person of the Papal family, the Vice-Legate of Avignon.
The part on Motion and that on Astrology, for his dearest
friend, Tteinault of Avignon, a young gentleman, learned,
and of most pleasing and affable character. “ Et sic in
ceteris.” He adds that he has issued the treatises to assist
such as are desirous of study, being assured that, without
the aid of the liberal arts, no perfection in science can be
attained.

The first part of the second treatise is of universal
arithmetic, in eleven books. It is illustrated with several
“ specula,” each in a series of circles, with the usual figures

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

of cube, pentagon, pyramid, &c. Chapter vii. treats, “ De
numeris Musicis” ; chapter viii., “De numeris Geomanticis” ;
chapter ix., “ De numeris Pythagoricis.” A curious illus-
tration occupies one page, “ Numerorum Descriptio,” stating
that “ Asinus significabit ciphram, quia (ut dicunt) Asinus
nihil valet ” ; he illustrates the other numerals, thus : — 1>
a pestle and a spear ; 2, a fork, a pair of scissors ; 8, a three-
legged stool and an open tripod; 4, a “ pileus quadratus,”
a book ; 5, a trumpet, a gourd ; 6, a chemical retort, a snail ;
7, an axe, a square ; 8, a pair of spectacles, also “ nates ” (!) ;
9, a curled up serpent, a dog’s tail ; 10, a spear pointing to
the head of an ass.

The fourth book treats of Geometry, in all its differing
figures. The fifth book treats of Military Arithmetic ; the
sixth, of Musical Arithmetic ; the next, of the Arithmetic of
Astronomy and Astrology ; the ninth, “ De Arithmetica
Pythagorica” It has two curious specula. The tenth
book treats of Mental Arithmetic ; and the last, “ De
Arithmetica Jacosa.” It is remarkably short, the whole
book consisting of three heads or “ questions ” on one page.
The central “ question ” is “ Si annulus occulte teneatur in
digito aliquo et scire cupias, super quern digitum steterit ?”

The next tractate, of 100 pages, is entitled “ De Templo
Musicse,” in seven books. On the title is a picture repre-
senting probably Apollo, with the lyre, giving instruction
to a number of scholars, who have different stringed
instruments by them. Prefixed to the treatise itself is a
large plate, which may be called the Temple of Music.
A descriptive preface or note follows. It represents the
Temple of Music on Mount Parnassus, the abode of the
Muses, where the goddess Concord presides, and where the
choirs of nymphs and shepherds, led by Pan, make the
sylvan shades, hills and valleys, to resound with divine
melody, so that harmony, peace, and concord join all
heaven and earth together in joy and love. The lower
part of this mystic building is occupied by those who make
the instruments. A number of naked artificers are occupied

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

in making a rod. Near by is a furnace for their use. The
series of layers of dressed stone which form the foundation
of the temple have on each layer one of the musical notes;
thus together these rows form an octave. Organ pipes,
violin, trumpet, lyre, guitar, and harp are represented in
the entablatures of the temple. Only one interior de-
partment is opened for us, where the teacher, pointer in
hand, is explaining a piece of music fully noted. Time,
with scythe in hand, and winged, stands on the top of his
sandglass ; above are a tower and three turrets. On one of
the turrets are a series of statues. The treatise on Music is
very fully illustrated with plates of musical exercises and
instruments. Musical time is illustrated by a curious dial
and a series of specula. The sixth book, with more curious
illustrations, treats of different sorts of musical instruments.
In the seventh book, Fludd gives an account of a new
instrument of music which he had himself devised. It is a
square frame, worked by a sort of miniature windlass.
The notes are iron teeth on the different bars of the frame.
These, of course, represent musical notes. This frame is
filled into another — a triangular frame — and the whole
seems to work by a handle.

The next treatise, of thirty pages, is “ De Geometria
seu arte Metrical This is followed by a treatise on
Optics in twenty-three pages. Prefaced by an illustrated
description of the optic organs, such as a doctor of medicine
might be expected to give, the treatise concludes with a
series of optic experiments. The treatise, “ De Arte
Pictoria,” follows in twenty-four pages. On the title-page,
a boy is represented in an oval painting of a rural scene,
the sides of the square plate holding figures of painters’
implements. An anatomical drawing is illustrated from a
full length of the human figure. Perspective and the “ in-
struments of the pictorial art” are explained and illustrated.
The author’s idea of a mermaid, with her glass, serves for
one of the latter. The second book treats of the Geometric
Art as used in painting. The use of the right angle, of the

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

triangle, of the square, of oval figures, and of the circle,
are explained. Page plates of the method of delineating
pictures of the human eye, face, and of the foot are given.
The method of the circle is explained in figures of the sun
and of a cup. Other objects not capable of being treated
geometrically are then introduced. The effect of shade is
explained.

The next treatise is “ De Arte Militari.” About eighty
pages are devoted to this section. The “ Ars militaris docet
locorum muniendorum modum, qui est Naturalis aut Arti-
ficialis.” The first book treats “ De munimentis et propug-
naculis.” The things required for the construction of
fortifications are laid down — first internal, then external,
the rules for ditches, the shapes of fortifications, the order
and figures of camps. Then the material, the foundations,
and the height and inclines are given. Bastions of different
construction are described, from different examples, all of
which are illustrated by picture and plan. The second
book treats of the requirements for sieges and of batteries.
The next book (the third) refers to the ordinary exercises
of the army in camp, treating of the exercises of the
Spaniards, the French, the German, and the English. Some
very curious plates are inserted at the end of the book,
showing the disposition of bodies of troops, cavalry and
infantry, with guns on horse carriages, a Spanish force
on march, the Imperial army on march, with waggons and
gun carriages, followed by horses with baggage. The
fourth book treats of other necessary military machinery,
including instruments of military music, drums, &c. ; the
sighting of guns by the quadrant, instruments for slingers,
&c., are also figured. Some curious tables are affixed.

The next treatise is that “ De Motu,” which is divided
into four books. Descriptions of many different machines
are given, and the cause and effect of different motive
powers are explained. The third book treats of the motion
generated from the four elements. The author states some
very curious experiments, especially in the production of

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

musical sounds. Some of tliese are on the same principle
as the musical boxes, working on cylinders notched and
fitted. These instruments are caused to work by a current
or stream of water playing upon and turning a wheel,
which in its turn acts on the cylinder, the notches on which
operate on fixed pipes similar to those of an organ.
Another acts on a stringed instrument of the nature of
a harp.

The next tract is “ De tempore,” in three books. The
year, the month, the day, form the subject of the first
book ; the art of dialling, the second book ; a machine,
a sort of water clock, the invention of the author, under
the title, <c De machina nostra horologica,” occupies the
third book.

The next tract, in three books, treats, “ De Cosmo-
graphia,” the zones, division of the hemispheres, parallels.
The illustrations include maps of Europe and France. This
introduces the next tract, “ De Astrologia,” in seven books,
pp. 558-714. The tract treats chiefly of the signs of the
Zodiac, beginning with that of Aries, explaining the nature,
place in the heavens, disposition of the native in soul and
body, calamities, &c. After each of the constellations follows
a section, “ De dispositione stellarum fixarum tarn in [Cancri]
corpore.” The fourth book treats of the erection of schemes
of nativity ; the fifth book of weather, the foretelling of
storms, of meteors, of eclipses, of conjunctions of planets.
The whole book is full of tables and charts of nativities, <fee.

The next tract is “ De Geomantia,” in four books. In
the commencement of this tract, we have a little bit of
interesting biography. Fludd tells us how that, in the last
year of Elizabeth’s reign, intending to pass into Italy, he
was detained at Avignon by the quantity of snow, which
was so great that he was unable to pass over the Alps.
He remained at Avignon the whole winter. When there,
becoming acquainted with a number of young men, of
generous and enquiring natures, he was introduced by
them to some Jesuits. One evening, after vespers and at

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

supper, the conversation seems to have turned to the
subjects of astrology and geomancy — that is, fortune-telling
by the stars and by combinations of numbers. Some stiffly
denied the virtue of such arts, but others, including Fludd
himself, defended their use. Supper being over, Fludd
returned to his own room, and he was followed there by
one of the company, who desired that he might explain the
art which had been the subject of the evening’s conversa-
tion. Fludd at first excused himself from doing this, but
eventually agreed to give explanations. A geomantic figure,
therefore, having been drawn up, a question is proposed.
It was a love query, “ would the girl the young gentleman
loved, return his love from the very depths of her soul ?”
The proper information having been given as to the young
lady, her figure, stature, the answer was worked out. It
showed the young lady to be inconstant. The eyes of the
lad were opened, and those who knew the girl quite ap-
proved of the answer. This result caused the affair to be
spoken of. The Jesuits got wind of it. The whole affair
was brought by them to the knowledge of the Vice-Legate,
who, notwithstanding their attempts, would not condemn
the art. Being afterwards at supper with the Vice-Legate,
the conversation turned again upon geomancy. Fludd
defended the art from his own experience, and said that
there must be a good intention and God besought in prayer.
The mind also must be directed aright. The human mind
and the human body go together to serve God, who is just
as able as an earthly king to send a picture of Himself by
His servants to another. They can carry the drawing,
however ignorant they may otherwise be. Thus the human
body can be the means by which the divine message can be
sent. Some bishops and other clergy were present, and
Fludd tells us that his learning was found more accurate
than that of his accusers. One of his chief friends at
Avignon was the Papal apothecary, Malceau. But his
dearest friend there was a certain modest and ingenious
youth called Reinaudius, with whom he appears to have

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

further prosecuted the study. But being rather suddenly
called from Avignon to Marseilles by the Duke of Guise, to
be mathematical tutor to his brother, a knight of Malta, he
was unable to accept the invitation of Reinaudius to visit
him and his brothers.

The treatise thus derived begins with a list of the names,
forms, and natures of geom antic figures. The art of geo-
mancy was wrought by throwing either pebbles or dice.
According to the figures and numbers formed on the earth
or table, conjectures were formed. The Arabians were,
however, more recondite in their performance of the art.
They “ founded it on the effects of motion under the crust
of the earth, the chinks thus produced, and the noise or
th underings heard.”

Geomancy is really a development of the “lot” — a
manner of divination or enquiry approved by Scripture
itself, and practised by the Apostolic College in the most
solemn circumstances. The rules of divination by this art
may be erroneous, or even improper, but as to the “ casting”
itself, the approval of antiquity is that of Solomon — “ The
lot is cast into the lap ; but the whole disposing thereof is
of the Lord ” (Prov. xvi. 33).

At page 785, we have a title of a new volume, “ Secun-
dum, de Naturali, Artificiali, et prseter naturali Microcosmi
historia,” &c. The contents, in two pages, follow, but a
note is added in which the printer informs the reader that
he had not then received the “ copy” from the author, so
could not at present proceed further.

CHAPTER XI.

The second Tome of the “ Historia ” — in three sections — 1619 — Title —
Prefixed Thanksgiving to God — The Macrocosm — The Utterance of
the Praise of God — The Picture of God — Microcosm, Picture of the
Greater World — Three parts in each and correspondence of these —
Body of man bears marks of the Triune — Numbers, their truth and
vivific force — Point within the Circle — God’s form purely igneous —
Temple of God the Universe — Septenary numbers — Fifth and tenth
numbers — Divine Harmony — Devil, Author of Discord — The Anima
in the Microcosm — The “ Round World ” — The Centre in Man — The
Organs of Reproduction — Why is Man the Image of God ? — Harmony
of Man’s Interior — Man a Geometrical Figure — Different parts
refer to Angelic Powers — East — External Harmony of Man —
Zodiacal Signs — Result of the Divine Voice in Man — The Pyramid —
Prophecy — Demons in Human Bodies — Vision — Sleep — Formation
of Man — Passion — Paracelsian — The three parts of man governed by
the Trinity in God.

rjljjE « Tomus Secunclus” of the “ Historia” is divided into
three tracts or sections, and bears the title, “ Tomus
Secundus de Supernaturali, Naturali, Prseternaturali, et
Contranaturali Microcosmi historia, in Tractatus tres distri-
bute Authore Roberto Flud alias de Fluctibus Armigero
et Medicine Doctore Oxoniensi. Oppenhemii Impensis
Johannis Theodori de Bry, typis Hieronymi Galeri, 1619.”
This descriptive title is placed on an emblature. The lower
half of the page contains a figure of the universe, in the
centre circle of which stands the naked figure of a youth,
extended so as to fill up the circle. This represents the
microcosm. Above this, and abutting on the title, is a
glory enclosing a triangle, in the centre of which is a
burning mass of white flame. Above the head of the figure
are three circles, “ Mens, Intellectus, Ratio.” At the bottom

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

smaller lines are enclosed by the circle, showing in each a
name, “Angeli, Archangeli, Seraphim,” &c. Inner circles
contain Zodiacal figures, with lines directed to different
parts of the human figure.

Prefixed to the whole work is a prayer of thanksgiving
for kindness and mercy addressed to God, the greatest and
the best, the incomprehensible, the creator of man, whom, in
the words of the most ancient writers, he calls upon man to
worship. " Tu Solus, Tu Ter Maximus, O Jehova.” He is
God, whose ineffable name shall be blessed for ever. The
macrocosm is the very utterance of the praise and glory, the
visible effulgence and declaration of the praise of God. His
power is shown by the effulgence of His lightnings and the
magnificence of His thunder. These display the continuance
of His active governance of the universe, and the harmony
of all can be seen by those who thoughtfully walk up and
down the earth and meditate by the sea shore, where the
flowing and the return of the tides sound in metrical
harmony. Heaven, earth, light, the Spirit, waters invisible,
the sun, the fountains, the rivers, the rain, the hail, the
snow, thunder and lightning, winds, and all other parts of
the macrocosm rejoice as with one mouth and declare Thy
praise, 0 Inaccessible Elohim. Shall not, therefore, man,
the microcosm, celebrate Thy praise ; man, who was imbued
with life by the afflatus of Thy mouth ? The address goes
on in a sort of splendid peroration formed from many
passages of Holy Scripture, knit together into a mosaic.
The power of Jehovah is one of the deepest realisations of
Fludd. “ Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in
heaven and in earth, in the seas, and in all deep places.
Therefore, 0 Jehovah, shall all creation adore Thee, with
reverence and fear. 0 regalissime Jehova, vere atque unice
Deus atque imperator, sceptrum Angelorum ac coelorum
gerens.” This magnificent power was seen as expressed in
the 114th Psalm, and as expressed in 2 Samuel vi. 2 —
“ Whose name is called by the Lord of hosts, that dwelleth
between the cherubims.” Turning from the contemplation

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

of the magnificence of the Deity, he asks, with the Psalmist
of old, “ What is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the
son of man that Thou regardest him ?” Yet the divine
strength has been made manifest in man — in Samson, in
Samgar, in Joshua, and in Gideon. In olden times His
spirit spake in the wisdom of those who, with Bezaleel,
wrought in the Tabernacle and made the mystic garments
of Aaron. Mercy, on the day when Jehovah shall be fully
revealed, is then prayed for, and wisdom to declare the
wonders of the divine law. Fludd concludes the “ Oratio
gratulabunda ” with a prayer that his whole existence may
proclaim “ Tu Solus, Tu Termaximus, 0 Jehova Es Deus,”
who has made heaven and earth, the world and men, may
Thy name be blessed for ever. “ Creatura tua in bonitate
luminis tui felicissima, Ego Hominis Filius.”

The macrocosm— the universe — was a picture of God,
or the manifestation of God ; so man, the little world, is a
manifestation of the greater. “ As is God, so is the
universe; as is the Creator, the supernal man, so is the
created, the inferior man ; as macrocosm, so microcosm ; as
eternity, so life.” 1 In consequence, the microcosmos is
divided into three parts — “ Unus est Empyrcuum ,” the
intellectual part, “ Mens, Intellectus, Ratio, residens in
capute ; Alterum sit HCthereum,” the vital faculties, “ in
medio pectore — corde ” ; “ Postremum,” natural faculty,
“ ventre residens.” 2

At page 113 of the “ Historia Microcosmi” will be found
a diagram of the microcosm, the circle of the world sur-
rounded by the signs of the Zodiac — in the centre the
figure of a youth disposed in the shape of a S. Andrew’s
Cross. Thus man bears in his own body the picture of the
“ Triune.” Reason is the head, feeling is the breast, and
the mechanical means of both feeling and reasoning, or the
means of his being man, is the epigastric centre, from which
the two first spring as emanations, and with which the first
two form ultimately but “ one.” A veiy curious diagram
1 Mather’s Kabbalah, 155. 2 Jennings, 307.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

of the microcosm, “ according to the astrologers, from an
almanac of the fifteenth century,” will be found in the
undernoted rather remarkable work . 1

The first tractate in this part of the “ Historia ” is “ De
numeris divinis.” In the “ Tractatus Apologeticus,” the
writer had asked, which of us has at this day “ the ability

From page 113 of volume ii. of “ U triusque Cosmi Historia.”

to discover these true and vivific numbers, whereby the
elements are united and bound together?’’ He now lays
down as an axiom that, by number, weight, and measure, the
concord and order of the world and its “ anima miraculosa”
are preserved. The Monad, the Diad, and the Triad are

1 The Canon and Rule of all Arts, 369.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

treated of in the next three chapters. Trismegistus’ axiom
is approved, “ Monas generat monadem et in seipsam reflexit
ardorem suum,” and the hymn of Synesius : —

“ Cano Te Unitas, Cano Te Trinitas : Unus es, Trinitas
Cum sis : Trinitas es, Unitas cum sis.”

The first figure is the eye, which, in a threefold circle, is
a suitable emblem of the “ most Holy and super-substantial
Essence.” The second is the sun. The third is the clouds
and thunderstorms, in which, through the lightning fire, is
seen an emblem of the Holy Spirit, which, in fire, descended
upon the apostles. The countenance of Jehovah could not
be seen, but the voice in the midst of the thunder was that
of the Word of God. The point within the circle of the
world, as delineated by the compass, is the unity of essence,
the one God, held in the chain of love. “ By the Word of
God the heavens were created,” &c. This tractate contains
seventeen chapters. The sixth chapter treats of binary
numbers, of the second person proper, and his concernment
in the making of the world. The Son, consubstantial with
the Father, is the voice in His mouth, and heard on Mount
Sinai in the thunder. Fludd . refers in this chapter to the
fiery nature of the Almighty Jehovah. This was a
favourite idea of his. God is described as the “ Ens
entium,” eternal form, inviolable, purely igneous, without
any intermixture of material, unmanifested before the
creation of the universe, according to the maxim of
Mercurius Trismegistus above quoted.

The twelfth chapter is followed by “ Demonstratio
luculentissima numerorum formalium.” The illustration is
headed by the first verse of the sixth chapter of Isaiah — ■" I
saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high, and lifted up,
and his train filled the temple.” The “ temple ” here really
signifies the universe — the nine angelic orders, the nine
celestial worlds, then the nine elementary regions, the latter

1 Waite’s Histy. Ros., 292.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

being “ suprem mris regio, media aeris regio, infiina seris
regio, aquae salsa, aqua dulcis, regio vegetabilis, regio
mineralis, pura terra.” The septenary numbers are next
treated of, with the mysteries which they comprehend.
The number seven is the result obtained, “ ab unitate
binario et quaternario.” It is diapason — perfect harmony.
It is the number of rest. Hence the seventh day was the
Sabbath. Seven is the number of perfection. It is also the
number of benediction and blessing. By Pythagoras it is
called the virgin number. It is the number in fulfilling an
oath, as Abraham, when he made a treaty with Abimelech,
offered seven lambs. It is also the number of health, of
protection from death, as when the prophet ordered Naaman
to bathe seven times in Jordan. It is the number of sancity
and praise — “ Seven times a day do I praise thee.” Its
value and power are also illustrated from the cases of Cain,
Noah, Jacob serving for Bach el. It is the critical hour in
disease — “ at the seventh hour the fever left her.” The
seven planets also. Abraham lived 175 years — a perfect
and happy complete age.

The sixteenth and seventeenth chapters treat of the
mysteries of the fifth and tenth numbers. In Hebrew, Jod
and Jah are always denoted by the number ten. Again, El
is denoted by the letter Aleph, 1.

The next book of the tractate treats of the Divine
Harmony in three chapters. The Son to be in the Father,
and the Father with the Son, and the Spirit with both.
The mystery of the Divine Unity and Trinity is illustrated
by the diagram of the triangle in the trefoil — Iod, He, and
Van — the trefoil surrounding the triangle — diapason and
diatessaron. A second diagram is given, in which the first
is included. Beyond the circles of heavenly music, com-
mencing with God and ending at the Sun, are the three
words, angelic, stellary, elementary. The circle is again
formed, “ Diapason spirituals,” “ Dis Diapason,” and “ Dia-
pason corporalis.” This greater circle is prolonged into a
triangle, marked at each elongation, “ Deus.” A black

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

circle fills up the part marked “ Hyle,” while the points of
the triangle extend even beyond this “ extra omnes.” Is it
possible, Fludd enquires in his third chapter, to cause
discord ? Although God, in the most Holy Trinit} 1 ', is the
original of concord, the Devil, on the other hand, is the
parent of discord. Thus is the strife between concord and
discord produced between light and darkness. From this
discord, introduced into the heavenly music and perfect
progression of the spheres, has come the fear of death, the
fall of Adam. Hence, bad is taken for good, hence the love
of the world and vanity, hence the hatred of God, the
Creator.

Having thus shown the perfection of the Divine Three
in One, and the harmony of creation in God, Fludd proceeds
more particularly to speak of the internal part of the
microcosm — the “ anima,” whose essence is threefold, and
partakes of the threefold nature of the heavenly Empyreum,
iEthereum, and Elementorum — the highest, the medial, and
the lowest. The God of God, in His inaccessible temple, is
seated in perpetual joy ; human eyes cannot behold Him,
yet the pure soul can rise in flights of inexpressible gladness,
and so contemplate the palace of everlasting glory. Illu-
minated by rays of light from the spirit of wisdom, in the
purified human mind, the way of rectitude can be clearly
seen, and the majesty of God discerned. The divine
architect who formed the universe, made man equally
perfect and complete, the image of His own greatness.
The circle of existence was made complete. The circle of
existence which formed the worlds, formed man. As
Trismegistus has said, God made two images of Himself —
the world and man. What perfection the world received,
that also did man receive. Heaven and earth have their
counterparts in the body and soul of man. As the universe
is one, so body and soul are one. Thus man is properly
called the image of God — the other world — microcosmos.
As (according to Fludd's opinion) the “ round world ” found
its centre in the earth, so man, regularly proportioned, can

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

be bounded by a circle, at the centre of which are the
organs of reproduction. Thus is man the “ mundus minor.”

In chapter five, the question is put, why is man said to
be the image of God ? When the opaque body of man
received the breath of life he received beauty, and in him
was formed the spiritual image of the great archetype. The
declaration of Holy Scripture and the author’s favourite,
Trismegistus. are compared and found to state the same
truth. S. Paul and Xystus both declare that the soul of
man may be called the temple of God.

The ninth chapter treats of the theological opinions
about the creation of the soul. “ Major Theologorum chorus
concludit animum corporis infundi et infundendo creari,”
taking as proof the words in the second chapter of Genesis,
“ He breathed into him the breath of life.” Origen, with
other Greek fathers and the Platonists, however, held a
different opinion, namely, that the souls for men were
created in the beginning with the angels. Fludd concludes
by a comparison of the action of the sun warming and
fertilizing the earth. In like manner the mind, which is of
the essence of the Deity, is not divided from its source. A
diagram is given showing, in pyramidical form, the descent
of the divine spirit in man. The pyramid is double,
reaching from the head to the genitals, the body being
divided into the three parts, “ Regio intellectus, Orbis solis
seu Cordis, Regio Elementaris.”

The next book, four, treats of the numbers and harmony
of the interior of Man. The mind of man is both unity and
multitude, yet collected, like the music of the spheres, in a
wonderful harmony. On account of the darkness and
inconvenience of its abode, the mind of man finds it very
difficult to exercise the power which, in its divine nature,
belongs to it. In its activity, the mind is a very icon or
picture of the Holy Trinity, having the threefold divisions
already explained. The heavenly music illuminates the
opaque body. The harmony of soul and body with the
divine essence is rendered complete. A chart is given.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

illustrating the influence of the heavenly powers and the
divine music upon the soul and spirit. From seraphim, the
power of God reaches to earth. Luna, Tgnis, Aer, and Aqua
complete the one side, while on the other the swellings of
spiritual harmonies, in a ninefold wave, constitute a three-
fold portion in the “ anima humana.” At the bottom of the
plate, as in the earth, lies a figure of man — “ Corpus
receptaculum omnium.”

The last chapter of the section shows in what manner
the influence of the greater intellect penetrates to that of
man. The direct influence of the angelic world is detailed,
and the influence of the different planets referred to. In
the next section of the tractate, Fludd treats of the external
part of the microcosm, of the origin of minerals, vegetables,
and animals — in what way they differ externally — as to
the effect of the sun on the animal creation. Then the
question is put, “ Corpus humanum quod ?” Man’s body
was made of the purest earth, that created in the highest
region — the very centre of the world. Some philosophers
say it was made of a red earth ; Plato, of a golden sort.
Water was used, and fire also, to complete the divine
likeness, so that man shares portions of these three elements.
Therefore it is that the Psalmist says — “ Thy hands not
only made, but fashioned or shaped me also.”

The author goes on to speak of the proportions of man,
being geometrical, showing, as explained in the diagrams
before given, that, as the earth was the centre of the great
world, “ sic etiam mundi minoris centrum sit genitalium
seu pudendorum.” As in the middle region of the macro-
cosmos the sun is the centre, so in the middle region of the
microcosmos the heart is the centre. As the sun in the
greater world is supplemented by the action of the planets,
so each part of the world lesser has its planetary influence
also. As the soul is united to the Deity, so the different
parts of the body have reference to the angelic powers,
Q'ood and bad. And the relation which man bears to God,
the stars, and the angelic powers, is the reason why, in

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

contradistinction to the lower creatures, he lifts his head
upward, “ et supercoelestice contempletur.” In ascertaining
man’s position as microcosmos, he is to face the east.
Fludd quotes, as proof of this, the words of Christ, who
speaks of the lightning coming out of the east and shining
to the ivcst ; the method of the foundation of the Jewish
cities, beginning at the east side (Num. xxxv. 5). The
words of Job, xxiii. 8, 9, according to Pagninus, refer — the
word translated “ forward ” — to the east. Comparisons are
then drawn out between the different parts and sides of the
body and the different points of the compass, more curious
than exact.

The next section treats of the external harmony of the
microcosm. To illustrate the relations externally to the
macrocosmos, two diagrams are given, where, in circles, on
the edge of the first, are the eight planets ; and, in interior
circles, the influence of these on the different parts of the
body of a youth, extended to the second circle, are ex-
plained. The second diagram also represents a circle, on
the edge of which are set the signs of the Zodiac, and the
reference to the influence of the different Zodiacal signs to
different parts of the body shown. The centre of the latter
circle is the umbilicus. The signs are repeated on both
sides. Thus Cancer influences the lungs, the breast, the
ribs, the breasts, the liver, and the spleen. Leo, again,
reigns over the heart, the stomach, the sides, and the
diaphragm ; Pisces, both feet ; and so on. Aries, of course,
rules the head, the eyes, ears, and teeth. Of the planets,
the sun rules the right half of the brain, the heart, the
right eye ; the moon, the left half of the brain, the left
eye; and so on. The next two diagrams are square, and
the first represents man, in the form of a cross, filling
the square. Fludd says this is a figure of the true Cross,
and man here represents Christ. The centre of this is
genitalia. Another follows, where the man is extended in
the form of a S. Andrew’s Cross, the centre being the
umbilicus. In this, of course, the hands and feet of the

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

figure fill the corners of the square. Some studies in
squares and circles, as applied to the head of man, are
added. All go to prove the geometrical proportions of the
human figure. The relation of the form of the pyramid to
the body has already been referred to.

Fludd now proceeds to show the connection between
the internal and the external economy of the microcosm,
as shown by the action of the body and mind together. In
the introduction he refers to the remarks on the description
of the joys of paradise, made in the “ Tractatus de vita,
morte et resurrectione which he here acknowledges as his.
If there were any doubt on that point, this reference settles
it . 1 The lion, he tells us, was the first animal created.
Inward blessedness and joy is the result of the divine voice
heard, the result of the indwelling of that same Spirit which
Moses, being immediately commissioned by God, bestowed
on the chosen men in Israel. The animal spirit in man is
not immortal, but of the nature of vaporous shade, which
returns to the regions of darkness. It is but “ phantasia ” ;
this is the lowest portion of the interior spirit. The spirit
of life, the vital spirit, is the middle or central part. It is
setherial, and is connected both with the true mind and the
animal spirit. It is that life which is the cause of all the
functional acts of life. Adhering to the true light, it makes
the life blessed ; resisting error, it exhorts to the highest
virtue. Or it may be otherwise, as S. Paul exclaims — “ I
find a law in my members leading me into the law of
death .’ 5 Wonderful, indeed, is it to think what a glorious
harmony there can exist between the soul and the body.
Then the divine light, in form pyramid ical, descends as into
a basin. The stars have evil influences as well as good ;
but, on the other hand, the heavenly powers are ready to
assist in overthrowing that evil, as seen in the cases of
Tobias and others.

In the tenth chapter, the cause of the power of prophecy
is explained, which is an illapse of the afflatus of the Divine

1 p. 22.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Spirit on the mind. But as the passage in Deut. xiii. 1,
compared with Deut. xviii. 22, will show, there may be also
an illapse of a daemon — “ per alienos Deos.” This is further
illustrated by the extraordinary vision given to Micaiah
before the two kings. The spirit of lies is sent by God to
punish sinners. A curious comparison is drawn between
the ancient pythoness, the sybils, and Merlin, who is con-
sidered to have been fully authorised by the " true Spirit ”
to reveal the future history of England. The spirit of
prophecy is of a threefold nature — Furor, Rapt us seu
Ecstasis ” (Num. xii ; 1 Sam. xix. 24). In this way, also,
does the soul become the temple of God — the very fire
in which Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood, became
the vehicle through which their prophecy sounded forth ;
and such a case may teach us that prophetical actions are
not human, and are connected with events beyond natural
power — as S. Peter’s going through the closed gates, Christ
walking on the waves of the sea, Moses preserved in the
midst of the fire of God. As the motion in the macrocosm
is rotatory or circular, so, therefore, must it be in the
microcosm, in the mind, and in the soul. Man is thus an
image of “ God’s eternity.”

The next book treats of the “ anima media.” The
following treats of the exterior senses — sight, hearing,
touching, tasting, and smelling. As authorities, Galen and
Avincenna are largely quoted. The consonant opinions of
philosophers, theologians, and medicinars are given. In
the ninth chapter of this ninth book, Fludd again expresses
the opinion that the divinity is of the nature of pure fire.
He quotes Trismegistus, who calls God fire, revealing itself
in darkness. Thus the Psalmist — “ The darkness is no
darkness with Thee ; the night is as clear to Thee as the
day.” The darkness is dispersed, and over the abyss broods
the Divine Spirit. Life is infused ; the waters become
feculent. The Platonist hyle is the Mosaic abyss. Then
heat is the type and the producer of sound bodies and
good actions. On the other hand, cold produces diseases,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

paralysis, and apoplexy ; melancholy, vapours, and humidity
produce tremor of the heart and syncope. Body, spirit,
and soul have their counterpart in earth, air, and fire —
“ Sal, mercurium et sulphur.”

The next, the tenth, book of this section treats of the
threefold vision of the soul in the body. The first — 1st,
corporal ; 2nd, spiritual ; 3rd, intellectual. The first detects
colour, dimensions, and such obvious things; the next
detects spiritual similitudes and likenesses ; the third, the
intellectual, has no bodily view, but observes in its own
mind, God, justice, wisdom, and other good affections.
Illustrations of the second are given. The “ Aries Cceli ”
is seen to have the “ simalcrum arietis terrestris.” So with
the milky way in the heavens. Under the same head come
dreams, phantasms, and such utterances as those of Caiaphas
the high priest — an utterance unintended, or rather, per-
haps, against his own will. So in dreams. The wave of
thought, arising in the brain, conveys its intention to the
eyes. Macrobius expresses the opinion that those things
which by sleep appear, have ^a fivefold nature — oracle,
vision, sleep, sleeplessness, and phantasy. Messages from
God are thus sent (Numb. xii. 6). Fludd does not omit
under phantasms the mention of Ephialta seu incubus et
succubus. Some medical men are, however, of opinion that
these proceed from the fumes of the stomach. Ecstasy is
such as that S. John, in the Apocalypse, underwent. That
dreams convey truths and divine messages is further illus-
trated by the vision vouchsafed to S. Joseph and the
declaration in the book of the prophet Joel.

Daemons entering human bodies will change the likeness
of men and women from innocence to guilt, from a human
appearance to that of likeness to beasts. Parents, by their
neglect, may cause Satan, often most near, to enter in. A
mother caused her daughter, through neglect, to be ready
for possession. The girl had used some money, spending it
on trifles, when her mother cried out, “ I wish the devil and
his legions would now enter into you.” She was immediately

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

taken possession of by the evil power, and as she confessed,
or the Devil by her mouth, six legions of daemons abode in
her. It is into the setherial part such daemons enter. The
mens may not actually suffer ; for, in the same way, comets
and flying dragons may appear, and other prodigies, yet the
sun in the heavens is undisturbed, but continues constant
in his usual course. So, too, the intellectual part, the
highest of which is the very temple of God, to which the
Devil has no power of ingress.

The last chapter of this book treats of the third, the
intellectual, vision. Two diagrams are added. The first
shows the influence of the world of sense, which enters in
by the forehead ; the world of imagination, which enters in
the upper part of the head ; and the “ mundus intellectu-
als,” which is placed at the top of the head. “ Mens^
Intel lectus, Ratio,” form three circles, below which the soul
is placed. The other diagram represents a universe of
twenty-two spiral circles, distinguished by the Hebrew
letters on one ascension, and by the heavenly orders, the
planets and the four elements, in another. Thus the mind
ascends spirally from the world to the Divine Unity, “ a
multitudine ad unitatem.”

The eleventh book of the section treats of the more
secret operations of nature in the formation of man. In
this, Fludd remarks, there is much that is arcane. He
refers first to Jamblicus, who divides living existences into
four sorts — gods, daemons, heroes, and souls — and of these
the “heroes” stand as a four-sided pyramid, the souls of
men as a cube. But God, the Word, and the Spirit are
everywhere. From chaos the material of production and
substance was accepted and taken by God. The figure or
growth of an apple is taken as emblematical of generation.
Its form is full of suggestion. Creation is the origin of all
species of life which were not existent before creation
began. Life is continued by real generation. God is the
first father, the generator the next. Here Trismegistus is
quoted — “ Where passion is, there is not the good ; where

100

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

the good is, there is no passion ; where it is day, it is not
night ; where it is night, it is not day.” So what is produced
cannot be good, where imperfection is found. The monad
is the origin, root, and principle of all generation. The
planets have an influence on the generation of man ; the
circular motion brings existences together, as has been
taught by astrologers. Without the sun could be no life.
So it is to be believed that the other heavenly bodies have
also an influence on births.

In the next chapter Fludd enters into fuller details,
abstract and curious, as to man’s substance. The masculine
element predominating, the result is male ; the feminine
predominating, the result is female. All elements are con-
tained in the original fluid. As the sun is the great source
of light and growth in the macrocosm, so the heart is the
great influence in generation. The seventh month of
gestation is governed by Luna, the eighth by Saturn ; the
issue in the first will live, but be weak ; if in Saturn, will
not live. The ninth month is governed by Jupiter, so
those born will be perfect, strong, and proper. The first
voice of the human being is the voice of grief. Coming
from a place warm, humid, and nutritious, the human
creature is cast on the earth cold and dry, and so utters
the voice of lamentation and distress. The human being is
the longest in walking, the cause being “ cetera animalia
menstrua non habent.” Seventy years is the age of man;
that is called “ annus climactericus,” the age of contempla-
tion ; the desire of the body has gone, and it is under the
curve and government of Saturn. The ages of men in
different countries are influenced by the planets, and the
inhabitants take their characters accordingly. Luna governs
Flanders and England, the climate humid and the men
cold ; Mercury governs France, not so humid, and the
inhabitants “ leves sunt, quasi viventes in vita puerili.”
Italy, again, is governed by Venus, and the people addicted
to works of the flesh. Greece, again, is governed by Sol,
and so the people thereof are learned. The whole system

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

101

elucidated by Fludd in regard to generation is Paracelsian. 1
Death and corruption are not by God’s creation in man, nor
can affect him ; they are the result of a mixture of another
element in his constitution. “ For God made not death,
neither hath He pleasure in the destruction of the living ;
for He created all things that they might have their being.

. . Righteousness is immortal.” 2

The next book of this section, the twelfth, treats of the
internal and external harmony of man. The interior triangle
or pyramidical form is represented in opposite ways. It
reaches from the head to the thigh, and in the one form
has its point in generative organs. The music of soul and
body join together in perfect notes ; thus perfect movement
is made. But the human harmony can also be seen accord-
ing to the proportions of geometric figures, the triangle, the
circle, and the cube. At page 254 a very curious diagram
is given, showing the division of the head and trunk of
man in three parts ; the head, governed by God the Father,
the Son, the Divine speech, mind, intellect, reason, and will,
sounding the diapason, “ supercselestis et spiritualis ” ; the
breast, governed by the planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the
Sun, Venus, Mercury, Luna, “ Diapason coelestis et media” ;
the lower part of the body, governed by “ Ignis seris
regiones tres, aqua dulc., aqua salsa, Terra”; in the latter
the generative organs, “ Diapason elementis et corporalis,”
all dissolving into “ Disdiapason spiritualis et disdiapason
materialis.” The “ Dies microcosmicus et nox microcosmica”
are illustrated by a diagram. Man here fills the circle of
the world ; above is the name of the Deity ; His divine fire
touches the head of the man outlined in this circle. A
double circle, the “ via solis,” extends from the heart to the
knees ; the centre, as before, is at the organs of reproduc-
tion ; the point in the centre from which the master mason
works.

1 A comparison of this section with the anthropology of Paracelsus
will show this ; see Waite’s Paracelsus, 63-67.

2 Sap., i. 13, 14, 15.

102

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

The whole section ends with a prayer for help from
Jehovah, that God may be the writer’s help, and that from
His dwelling in the cloud on the hill of Zion regard him,
and by His blessing preserve him from the injuries of the
wicked.

CHAPTER XII.

Diagram — Prophecy — May be uttered by any one attracted by the Magnet
of God — Platonic Opinion — Cacodsemons — Dagon — Baal — Each man
had a good and bad Daemon — God speaks to man in different
ways — Effect of Vegetable Growths — Odd Prescriptions — Furor
Divini — The Vision is Twofold — Pillar of Fire — A Light in a Mirror
— Ethnicks have also this gift — Prophetic Sleep — Geomancy — Other
kinds of Divination — Art of Memory — Vermiform Appliance in the
Brain — Plate — Virtues and their Emblems — Letters and their
Emblems — Nativities — Astrology — Daemons — Seven Angels corre-
spond to Seven Planets — Different Ministries of Angels — Psyche —
Physiognomy — Character by Colour — from walk — from stature —
shape of the head — eyes — feet — Chiromancy — The Hand — Lines
and Figures — The Pyramid.

'pHE second section of the cf De Technica Microcosmi
Historia ” contains seven parts. A separate title
shows a globe of light within a square of darkness. Homo
stands at the top, and the circle is divided into portions
illustrating Prophecy, Geomancy, Memory, the art of
Casting Nativities, Physiognomy, the art of Hand Reading,
and the science of the Pyramid. In the centre of all is the
figure of “ the Ape of Nature.”

The first section is of Prophecy, and has a title plate
representing Elijah anointing Elisha with a horn of oil, the
Spirit, in the shape of a dove, issuing from above ; or it
may be Samuel and David ; but the proximity of the river
(Jordan) makes the former more probable.

Prophecy is not necessarily the possession of priests and
diviners ; for as we see the effect of attraction in the
magnet, which can be transferred to iron, and act accord-
ingly, so there are those who, touched and attracted by
God’s Spirit, act upon others. These persons foretell the

104

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

future, perform miracles, have familiarity with angelic
beings. These powers cease, however, if the junction
between the higher power and the agent is loosened. The
Platonic opinion, that the daemon comes in an illapse on
certain persons, who then spoke and acted from his impulses,
is that also of the prophet Isaiah. The ancient daemons, or
pythons, entered into men, and used the human voice in
their utterances. We believe the office of the prophet to be
immediately from God. Abraham was immediately com-
municated with by God, though also by angels, whom the
old philosophic writers called daemons. So with all the
patriarchs. We have the divine method, expressly men-
tioned in Numbers xi. 25 — “ And the Lord came down in
a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that
was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders : and it
came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they
prophesied, and did not cease.”

Dionysius calls angels “ Agalmata ” — that is, clear
mirrors of God’s light. In them the divine glory is clearly
seen. A list is given of those who have had this gift, as
in the ancient writings, Trismegistus, Plato, Orpheus,
Sibyllae, Oracula Chaldseorum, Cassandra Trojana, Merlin,
Nostrodamus Gallicus vates.

The gods, false gods of the nations, such as Moloch,
Milcom, Chemosh, &c., &c., are but Cacodsemons. They
have no mission for God nor angels, but from Lucifer.
Therefore it is said that the people sacrificed to devils and
not to God, to gods whom they knew not, “ to new gods
that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.” As it
was seen that the Philistian Dagon could not stand upright
in the presence of the Ark of God, so neither could the
prophets of Baal and of the groves stand before the power
of Elijah. The spirit of lying prophecy cannot stand in
the presence of God, but by the light and power of Jehovah
is silenced. The prophets, or vates, being filled with God’s
Spirit, even the lower animals also were made use of in
this way, and made known the will of God to men. So

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

105

the evil spirits enter into men also, and, by the power of
the devil, try to foretell events. A great number of
instances in ancient history are given. From the time of
Adam, men have lived in familiar society with angelic
beings — Adam, with Raziel ; Shem, with Jophiel ; Abraham,
with Zadkiel ; Isaac and Jacob, with Peliel ; Joseph,
Joshua, and Daniel, with Gabriel; Moses, with Melattron ;
Elias, with Maltiel ; Tobias, with Raphael ; David, with
Cerniel, &c. Thus it is that Jacob speaks to Joseph — “ The
angel who delivered me from all evil, bless the lad.” Fludd
seems to believe that, even before Christian times, each
man had a good and bad spirit continually associating with
him. In this, Jamblicus and Proclus agree with the writer
of the Acts, who speaks of S. Peter’s angel. In our Lord’s
time, legions of demons abode in men. The changing of
Moses’ rod into a serpent, Aaron’s rod budding and blos-
soming, are given as proof of special missions ; and that
proof, too, was not awanting among other ancient nations.
In what way or mode, then, does God speak to men ? In
different ways, in diverse manners, both by persons and
by things. Though spoken by man’s voice, the divine
message is real. By the threefold word of God, by angels
and archangels, by Urim and Thummim, by patriarchs,
kings, prophets, apostles, and other faithful men. The
message given in vision, in sleep by dreams, or by evident
ocular proof and message — the things spoken by God — are
not matters of levity. Prophets have been in soul lifted
up above their brethren, and entered the higher heavens.
Such was Moses, to whom God appears in the likeness of
fire, when He gave him the form of the Tabernacle worship.
Sin and evil must first be removed before such a measure
of the light divine can dwell in the soul. The prophet
must beware of intercourse with flagrant sinners. Twelve
laws are given to distinguish true from false prophets.

According to the ancient writers, there were different
kinds of prophets — those who had the gift immediately
from God, in whom the Divine Icon was at once apparent ;

106

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

those mediati, who received the gift in watchings or vigils,
or in sleep. The gift was either from interior revelation or
brought about by exterior means. Ah extra, by hearing or
by vision, the latter manifest and external, or occult and
internal ; the external, either from the living or by and
through the departed. Magic art, by which higher powers
are attracted to earth, also comes under this head. Dif-
ferent vegetable growths have a power of this sort, if
properly used. These are root, fruit, tree, or herb. Even
metals and stones have also power. So they said that, from
among vegetables, the verbena and the angelica confer
power of prophecy, also the stones known as selenites. and
hysenise. Albertus Magnus and other magi are of this
opinion. Some say, also, that the heart of a mole, still
palpitating, if so eaten will enable the eater to foretell
future events. These two kinds are under Luna and
Mercury. The third sort is “ in sphsera Veneris,” powders,
fumigations, odours, and ointments. Under the fourth,
“ in sphsera Solis,” are words, voices, and symphoniac songs.
These have power to expel darkness from the mind, as in
the case of Saul, who was relieved by the music of David.
The fifth grade is under the influence of Mars, in which are
vehement imaginations and strong affections of the mind.
And so on till, in the ninth place, the influence Primo
Mobili.

There is also a “ furor Divini,” which, the ancients say,
proceeds from Apollo, whom we know or call the soul of
the world. In the case of Esdras (ii. 14, 38), he is given a
cup to drink, the contents like water, but of the colour of
fire. “ And I took it and drank, and when I had drank of
it, my heart uttered understanding, and wisdom grew up
in my breast and on my spirit, and strengthened my
memory.” Similarly we find the case of Ezekiel (iii. 1),
" Son of man, eat that thou findest ; eat this roll, and go
speak unto the house of Israel.” Thus were these prophets
tilled with the spirit of wisdom, so that they could properly
teach the commandments of God. To go beyond the sacred'

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

107

books, an honest historian tells of a certain rustic,
who, feeding his flock, found a vase filled with a most
splendid golden liquor, and, thinking it to be heavenly
dew, washed his face and drank of it. Soon he was
endowed with such a goodness of soul and excellent
wisdom, and his body being renewed and become full of
beauty, so that, from being a ploughman, he became the
messenger to the King of Sicily. The chapter closes with
some curious speculations as to the reason of Cupid being
represented as blind.

Vision is twofold — with the outward eye, and with the
inward siodit. The vision of Jehovah to Israel was in a

pillar of fire ; Jacob cries, “ I have seen God face to face ” ;
the angelic appearance to Manoah and Hagar ; the tremor or
vision of Eliphas, in the book of Job. The internal vision,
in ecstasy or without it — a bright splendour seen, as in a
mirror, in the mind. S. Paul, in his rapture ; S. John, in
his apocalyptic visions ; Ezekiel and S. Stephen’s visions
were of the same kind. Visions have also been given to
“ Ethnicks ” — Curtius Rufus, Alexander the Great,- Apol-
lonius of Tyana, Brutus. Many others are given. The
truth of such visions is believed by Hermes, Socrates,
Xenocrates, Plato, Plotinus, Heraclitus, Pythagoras,
Zoroaster. Olaus Magnus writes that, when in Finland, he
found certain magi, who, after magic rites, were able to
perform many similar wonders.

The next section treats of the Prophetic Sleep. Sleep,
in general, is fourfold — natural, supernatural, diabolic and
vain, and inane. Jehovah, the fountain and origin of
truth, reveals it in sleep by dreams. Nebuchadnezzar, the
butler and baker of Pharoah, Abraham, cast into a deep
sleep. God’s message to Abimelech and Solomon. God,
by means of angels, transfers to man another and special
sense, and by it declares His will. Five different kinds of
dream sleep are noted. The devil has power to cast into a
deep sleep, and, by fraudulent methods, to excite it. But
sanguineous sleep, bilious, phlegmatic, and melancholic'

108

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

sleeps, are also existent. In these, indeed, many horrors
appear, but they are “ res mere inanes.”

The next section of the tractate treats of Geomantia,
Geomancy. Fludd’s belief in this part of science has been
alreadj 5 ' treated of in Chapter X., to which the reader is
referred. It is treated of here in six chapters. Another
chapter is added, relating to many other kinds of divina-
tion — hydromantia, divination by water ; reromantia, by air
— armies have often been seen in clouds and in the air;
pyromantia, divination by fire ; axinomantia, by hatchet
or mallet ; chiromantia, by the lines and marks on the hand ;
necromantia, by the dead — as in the case of Saul with
Samuel ; onomantia, by letters ; arithmomantia, divination
by numbers ; umbilicomantia, per umbilicum ; and a
number of others.

The next section of Fludd’s treatise is the art of
Memory. A head is given, in the centre of the brow of
which is an eye, “ Oculus imaginationis.” Another picture

represents the tower of Babel, Toby with the fish, the angel
behind, a monumental pillar, a ship on sea, and what
appears to be Jehovah coming to judgment. He sits on a
rainbow, with His feet on the earth.

Fludd tells us that the treatise was composed by him
while in France, and tutor there to the Guisian Princes.
Memory is natural, and extended by art. A vermiform
appliance exists in the brain, by which memory is exer-
cised. Memory is aided by appliances — the spheroid and
the quadrate, the ring and virgula of Solomon. Charts are
given first of the sphere, surrounded by the signs of the
Zodiac displayed in their artificial forms. Then the
quadrate is illustrated by the history and pictures of the
ancient theatre. Here all syllables, sentences, and particular
speeches are rehearsed, comedy and tragedy displayed.
It is to be a picture of the world — half white, day ; half
black, night. Five entrances, equidistant, are to be in it.
These are “ ordines alphabetice ” — 1, of men ; 2, of women ;
3, of brute beasts ; 4, of birds ; 5, of fishes. A list is given

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

109

of the gods — “ Apollo cum radiis solaribus,” Bacchus cum
uvis, &c. ; goddesses and heavenly women — Andromache,
Bellona, Ceres, &c. ; of brute beasts — Aries, Bos, Capri-
nus, &c. ; of birds — Aquila, Bubo, Corvus, &c. Different
qualities, graces, &c., are also represented with different
emblems to assist Memory — Humility, on bended knees ;
Infamy, with spots; Fortitude, with a column; Nemesis,
with bloody hands ; Purity, with white vestments ;
Religion, holding a cross; Fear, running and looking back,
&c., &c. Alphabetical helps may be by proper names —
Abraham, Bernard, &c. ; or by historical characters —
Achilles, Brutus, &c. ; or by familiar female names —
Agrippina, Barbara, &c. ; or by historic female names —
Ariadne, Bersabe, &c. ; or of beasts — Asinus, Bos, &c. ; or
by birds — Aquila, &c. Two alphabetic forms of letters
are given, curious and ingenious, one forming the letters of
the alphabet from “ rerum inanimatarum,” the other the
same, but also c< pro hac arte ” — A, the triangle or compass ;
B, the scales, or spectacles sideways displayed ; C, the
rainbow, or the trumpet ; D, the bow ; E, a ram’s head,
or three-pronged fork sideways displayed ; F, a sword ;
G, the reaper’s hook ; H, a cleaver or hatchet ; I, arrow or
bone ; K, not mentioned ; L, level ; M, a tripod in per-
spective, or a gridiron ; N, a toad, or two-pronged fork ;

0, a crown, or a ring ; P, a jug, or an axe ; Q, a tennis
racket, or a fruit with a stalk ; R, a jug with handle ; S, a
trumpet ; T, a hammer or pick ; U, a harp ; X, a S.
Andrew’s Cross. So, again, with the arithmetical characters
— 1, a stalk of wheat, or a rod; 2, scales, or teeth; 3, a
triangle, or tripod-stool ; 4, a book, or altar ; 5, a trumpet ;
6, a coiled snake, or a snail ; 7, a square ; 8, a pair of
spectacles, a curly tail, or a lamprey, “ et sic in ceteris.”
Notes are also given of the proper colours of the Zodiacal
signs and of the parts of speech. These items are contained
in ten chapters.

The next part of the section treats “ de Genethlialogia,”

1. e., Nativities. It is comprehended in eight chapters.

110

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

The frontispiece shows the interior of a porch, in which a
sage and pupil are in earnest conversation. The sage is
drawing up a nativity. The sun, with full radiance, is
seen, also the moon and the stars. The first chapter treats
of Astrology and its different parts, four in number, the
third of which is Genethlialogia. It is that part of
astrology which teaches what the minds, what the bodies,
what the fortunes will be of different persons from the
position of the heavenly bodies at their births, and what
signs these give in regard to the future of those persons.
Two tables are given, and the usual rules for setting up
schemes ; the different signs influencing the height or
shortness of the body, the tendency to disease. The second,
Mars and the influence “ De fortuna seu substantione nati,”
riches or poverty, brothers or relatives, beauty or honour,
the effect of the eclipse. The position of the eclipse will
influence the part of the body subject to the planetary
disposition of that part, but in all to a diminution of
success or happiness.

“ Natum quem genuit Sol, prudens, hicq. loquax sit,

Tristis sit, pulcher, verax, et religiosus.”

On the other hand —

“ Estq. loquax, mendax, latro, Mars, fur, spoliator,

Fallax, instabilis, grossus, rubeique colons,” &c.

The next part of the tractate refers, “ De proprii
cuj usque nati Daemonis inquisitione.” Porphry thinks that
Daemons or Genii are really from God, and descend on men
from the stars. The opinion is opposed by Jamblicus, who
believes that they proceed from the elementary powers.
At any rate, both believe that they obtain the powers they
have from above. They are good and bad — the good, as
that spirit sent before the face of the Baptist ; again, the
words of Christ — “ Have I not chosen you twelve, and one
of you is a devil” The purpose of the good daemon is to
make the life holy, to stir up the light of wisdom in the
mind ; so the evil daemon seeks to induce theft, murder,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Ill

filthiness, &c. According to Jamblicus, the good daemon
perfectly clears the mind, makes the body healthy, makes
the mind virtuous, infuses the divine light into the soul.
According to the Hebrew fathers and more recent magi,
and chiefly Trithemius, “ a man of the greatest wisdom,”
Michael, the archangel, has that power shown by the sun.
As the sun drives away darkness and promotes the growth
of needful things, so Michael has overcome the devil and
propelled him from heaven, destroyed his power, and over-
came him. The seven angels are those of the greatest
power, and correspond to the seven planets — Orifiel Zabkiel,
to Saturn; Zachariel or Zadkiel, to Jupiter; Samael or
Camael, to Mars; Aniel, to Venus; Raphael, to Mercury;
Gabriel, to the moon ; and Michael, to the sun. Other
spirits, called by the magi “ Olympici,” carry out orders
which they receive from God. One of these Olympic spirits
is attached to each planet, and they have special signs, which
are given by Fludd in illustrations to the fourth chapter.
They are — Aralron, Saturn ; Bethor, Jupiter ; Phuleg, Mars ;
Hagith, Venus ; Ophiel, Mercury, &c. Twenty-eight daemons
“ mansionibus Lunae prsedominantur.” Their names are
given, beginning with Geniel and ending with Amnixiel.
Other twelve signs are attached to the elementary spirits,
who direct the winds ; each hour is under the charge
of an angel, and each land has its tutelary angel, accord-
ing to the Zodiacal sign which refers to that country.
Thus Aries has, as subjects, Germany, Britain, France,
Syria, Palestine, Poland, Burgundia, Sweden. After some
further revelations, the author adds an Apologetic Epilogue,
in which he states that he thought it requisite to give the
opinions of the ancient magi in regard to these matters, not
necessarily his own belief. The different natures of heavenly
beings have their origin and essence from the divine. The
mind of these is subsubstantial, eternal, immutable, impassible,
and majestic. Seraphim, of the nature of fire, full of love;
Cherubim, of science, knowledge in its fulness ; Thrones, of
equity and justice ; Dominions have the victory in spiritual

112

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

conflict, and have dominion over the stars; Princes, modesty
Powers, dominion and power over evil spirits; Virtues,
miraculous and divine illumination. The different nature
and occupation of the angels and heavenly powers men-
tioned in the preceding section are stated and illustrated,
as Gabriel, the strength of God ; Uriel, the light or fire
of God ; Michael is the governor and preses, “ corporis
Solaris.”

The archangel is the leader and prince of the rest of
the angels — Malach in Hebrew, Nuntius in Latin. The}’
teach the inferior angels concerning the divine mysteries.
The archangels assist in earthly affairs, as in the case of
Jacob (Gen. xxiv. 7) ; Ps. xci. 11, “ He shall give his angels
charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” They also
expel Cacodsemons, who have had power over men, as we
read of Raphael in the book of Tobit. Angels, archangels,
daemons, spirits, and heroes are higher than the Olympic or
elementary spirits. The latter are the messengers of the
former. They inhabit the lower regions, and do not ascend
further. Asmodeus was sent by Raphael to the desert of
Egypt. The archangels are in number seven — the primary
and virgin number. These are they “ that excel in
strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto
the voice of his word ” (Ps. ciii. 20). The fact is more con-
clusively attested by Raphael, who (Tobit xii. 15), declared,
“ I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present
the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the
glory of the Holy One.” The seven angels have dominion
in the seven planets and over their daemons. Their names
are Oriphiel, Zachariel, Samael, Michael, Anael, Raphael,
and Gabriel. The opinion of Trithemius as to the various
order of their governance of the planets has already been
detailed. The Romans held a similar opinion. Some
persons, indeed, deny that men have proper angels. But
this can be (and has been already) proved from Holy
Scripture. Apuleius, in the story of Cupid and Psyche,
feigns Psyche to be borne by Zephyr from the higher cliff

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

113

into a very sweet and pleasant valley. So in Ps. civ. 3, 4,
we read that Jehovah “ walketh upon the wings of the
wind ; who rnaketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a
flaming fire,” for this purpose, that He may “ give his
angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Angels, therefore, come from the highest region through the
Empyrean, where they instruct and employ the lesser
spirits. This is proved from Zech. ii. 3, 4, “And, behold,
the angel that talked with me went forth, and another
angel went forth to meet him, and said unto him, Run,
speak to this young man.”

It is only by divine power that the spirits can come to
men — “ The breath of the Almighty hath given me life ”
(Job xxxiii. 4). It is by these spirits that understanding is
given — “Wisdom passeth and goeth through all things,
by reason of her pureness.” The corruptible body presses
down the soul, and if it were not for angelic and heavenly
aid infused into the soul and acting in the body, the earthly
tabernacle would be dissolved. God’s Spirit is sent from
the Highest, that men may know something of the counsel
of Jehovah. The divine spark in the mind is rekindled by
the Spirit sent from on high. Thus Elisha, from a rustic
life, became a prophet. The angels, which the royal prophet
calls sons of God, rejoice and enjoy human society. Those,
then, who know the true astrology, understand the way in
which these daemons help and instruct men in divine
science and knowledge.

The next part of the section treats of Physiognomy.
The title-page bears a picture, in an ova-1, of a young man and
maiden looking at each other. The first chapter is “ De
Universali Colore.” To read character by colour is, one
would suppose, a rather doubtful way of decision, but full
particulars are laid down by Fludd. Those, for instance,
of a white colour are slothful, phlegmatic, intemperate,
effeminate, incontinent, and debilitated ; yellow aro-ues a
man to be avaricious and envious ; a red colour argues a
complete nativity ; red and clear indicates modesty and

114

DOCTOR ROBERT *LUDD.

truthfulness ; greenish, unless the forerunner of death,
argues timidity ; “ intense black,” melancholy.

Character is next read from the walk ; next from
stature. We are told to beware of deformed persons, who
make bitter enemies. Small men are proud ; medium sized
are best, more equal in temperament, ingenious, prudent,
and expeditious in business.

The next relates to the shape of the head. An oblong
head signifies impetuosity, levity, anger, want of secretive-
ness, but acute in speech. The “ caput quadratum ” seems
the best ; still, the square-headed is given to lies in speech.
The “ caput triangulum ” is very bad, avaricious, arrogant,
lying. The hair comes next. Subtile persons have a small
amount of hair. A quantity of hair on the breast and
“ venter ” argues a horrible and singular nature, illiterate,
luxurious, and of little sense. Yellow hair argues good
manners. Black, thick, and straight hair is a good sign,
good powers, good manners, faithful in friendship, but
lascivious. If, however, the black hair be thin, stupidity,
pride, greediness are indicated. The ears come next.
Large ears signify good memory, long life, but many and
sad changes ; small ears denote humility and benignity.
The face and forehead come next, and then the nose. A
long nose denotes subtlety, a nature choleric, and some
levity. If naturally red, the person will have many
friends. A small nose indicates fraud and rapacity ; gross
noses show pride ; curved, magnanimity, but luxuriousness ;
open noses, strength and liberty ; twisted round, stupidity.
The eyes come soon afterwards. Light eyes, inconstancy,
lying, avarice ; if the eye is dark, temper from small and
foolish causes ; red eyes, strength and animosity ; blue
eyes, good, amiable, and liberal, but, if large, pleasantness ;
eyes very open, vanity ; immovable and dry, anger and
furiousness. The character from mouth, lips, teeth, and
tongue follow ; then from the voice and laughter. Those
who laugh little are to be despised. A feeble laugh indi-
cates innocence. Breasts, arms, and thighs come next.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

115

Hands, knees, and feet follow. Beautiful and strong feet,
however, indicate fecundity, but also fornicators. Oblong
feet are a sign of many thoughts ; swiftly moving feet,
however, indicate levity. Four curious tables follow — “ De
hominis cholerici indiciis” ; " De complexione sanguinea ” ;
“ De complexione phlegmatica ” ; “ De complexione melan-
cholica.”

The next part of the section treats of Chiromancy —
hand character. It consists of thirty-eight pages, largely
illustrated with diagrams of hands, and particularly of
marks on hands. Of these latter there is a very large
collection. Chiromancy is explained to be a natural
science, by which one learned in it, by inspection of the
hands, will be able to divine concerning present, past, and
future. The five fingers are distinguished by name —
Pollex, Index, Medicus, Annularis, Auricularis. Other
terms used are — Palma, the interior of the hand ; Pugnus,
the fist closed ; Montes digitorum, and various lines.
These are illustrated by diagram, and may be seen in any
modern book on Chiromancy. The lines and interlineations
are, of course, of the greatest importance. Of them the
quality, quantity, action, passion, and position are to be
noted. Seven rules are given. The right hand in men, the
left in women, are to be inspected. If the lines are plainer
in a man’s left hand than in his right, it is a proof of effemi-
nacy. The succeeding chapters give in detail illustrations
of the different lines and their readings. The line of life or
of the heart is that surrounding the mount of Venus, below
the thumb. The next line is the hepatic, across the hand ;
the next the cephalic, and so on. Each line is illustrated
by markings. Explanations are also given of the girdle of
Venus, of the Via Lactia, of the triangle, of the quadrangle,
of markings on the different mountains or protuberances at
the bases. The finger-marks on the fingers are also ex-
plained. Thus, if a star appears on the index finger of a
woman, it indicates impudence and lasciviousness ; a star
on the middle finger denotes a violent death.

116

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

The next book treats of different particular secrets
observable on hands. While the cross and the square are
happy signs, the semi-circle, the craticula, and little hairs
inside the hand are bad signs.

A special chapter treats of the characteristics of the
feminine hand. Thus, lines between the third and fourth
fingers denote that the woman will have sons rather than
daughters. If these lines, again, are at the base of the
third finger, it signifies that the woman is free from all
errors. Special marks on the male hands are also illustrated
by diagram. This portion of Fludd’s work is written with
great exactness and very plainly. Any one can read his
own fortune with small trouble.

The next part of the treatise relates to metaphysical
speculations as to the Pyramidical figure. It is illustrated
with numerous diagrams, and is chiefly intended to show
the way in which rays of light issue from the sun. These
are shown by the diagrams to be of a pyramidical form.
This form is most sacred from the earliest ages, and is that
in which the Deity emanates in light. It spreads out
from a point which issues in nature from the sun in rays,
and from the Deity in rays of divine light.

This portion concludes the first tractate of Fludd’s
second volume. A table of errata is prefixed to an index in
ten pages.

CHAPTER XIII.

1621 — Title of second tractate of second volume — Theosophical and Caba-
listic studies of Fludcl — Rainoldes — Cabala — its supposed History —
Key to real meaning of Bible among Jews — City of Ezekiel — Zodi-
acal Signs in Canterbury Cathedral — Human body shaped in temples
— Symbols in Hebrew letters — The Secret of the King — The word
“ Principium ” — Letters of the Sacred Name — Iod — the Upright
includes all — The Ineffable Name — Sephiroths — Elements — Dark-
ness, Water, Light — The Serpent Form — Circling itself — The wheel
— Boehme — Water, the mother — Light — Shin — Numbers in the
Sacred Name — Twenty-seven — The World an animal — Zoon —
Kepler agrees with this — The Sephiroths in Man — Conclusion.

rp HE second tractate of the second volume is entitled,
“ De prseternaturali utriusque mundi Historia in
Sectiones tres divisa.” The author’s name follows. The
printer’s device is that of religion supported by the Cross,
standing on a skeleton. The volume bears to be printed at
Frankfort, “ typis Erasmi Kempfferi, sumptibus Joan. Theo-
dori de Bry, anno mdcxxi.” The treatise extends to 199
pages, besides some preliminary matter. It ends with the
third part of the second portion of section i.

The first section is entitled, “ De Theosophico, Cabalistico
et Physologico utriusque mundi discursu, in Portiones tres
diviso.” The bottom of the title has an emblematic picture
of King David kneeling on the top of a mountain, uttering
the words in the 68th Psalm, “ In alarum tuarum umbra
Canam.” The all-seeing eye in a radiance and a cloudy
figure surround it. In a semi-circle above are the letters
of the Sacred Name, which are placed in a glory beneath
the eye.

Theosophical and Cabalistic subjects were, next to the

118

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

defence of the brethren of the Rosy Cross, the studies Fludd
preferred. None of his works fail to exhibit this bent.
Where his Rabbinical learning was obtained we do not
know. Mention has been made of Rainoldes, President ol
Corpus Christi College, Oxford, “ a man full of all faculties,
of all studies, and of all learning/' Eminent for sanctity of
life as well as knowledge, Rainoldes has left in his “Censura
Librorum Apocryphorum Veteris Testamenti,” before men-
tioned, and also issued at Oppenheim (1611), a a great
structure of curious learning — biblical, historical, chrono-
logical, rabbinical, patristic, and scholastic.” 1 These lectures
ran on for seven years from 1585, while Fludd was an
undergraduate at S. John's.

The science of the Cabala is said by the old Jewish
traditions to have been communicated by angels to Adam
after the fall. “ And since it was a postulate of the philoso-
phers that the tradition, or passage of the spirit or soul of
God from heaven to earth, was effected through the Zodiac
and seven planets, so they allege that the Cabala was
transmitted through the mouths of the Patriarchs and the
Messiah, Christos, who personified the planetary sphere.” 2
Doubtless the Cabala is the result of the thought, study,
and labour of very many generations of learned men, when
learning meant real labour, and solitary thought was
saturated by divine belief. God delivered the written
law to Moses, which he declared to the people, but he was
also the repository of a secret science, which, it is alleged,
he delivered orally to those whom he considered worthy.

The system of Theosophy, of which the Cabala is the
treasure-house, and also the exponent, appears to have in
Fludd its first English adept. 3 The Jews considered its
science the key to the real meaning of the Bible. The
secrets of the Cabala are contained in the letters of the
Hebrew alphabet, twenty-two in number, in the transposi-
tion of these, and in their numerical value. A great service

1 Dowden, Paddock Lee., 75. 2 Canon of all Arts, 39-41.

3 Mather’s Kabbalah, p. 5,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

119

has been rendered to the ordinary reader by the publication
of the “Kabbalah Unveiled ” in the three books of the
Zohar, translated and annotated by Mr Macgregor Mather.
His preface is full of interest and learning. The Zohar —
splendour — is the great storehouse of the Cabala. Even in
the shapes of the Hebrew letters certain secret meanings lie
hid, some being the, result of part combinations with others.
That a secret science of this kind, the result of which is
found in the Cabala as we now have it, existed among the
learned Jews is incontestible, and that it was perpetuated
in another form in the more learned of the early Christian
communities is no less certain. The mysteries of the
heavenly city of Ezekiel have their counterpart in the New
Jerusalem, the heavenly city of S. John. When S. Paul
declared, “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,” he
in a measure pointed forward to the apocalyptic vision of
S. John. Even in the more secular art of the builders in
our great cathedrals, “ the microcosm seems to have been
used as a pattern.” The signs of the Zodiac may be still
seen on the floor of the sanctuary of Canterbury Cathedral.
The proportions of the human body, whether extended in
the form of an ordinary cross, or in the form of the cross
associated with the name of S. Andrew, were the type and
rule of ancient temple building. In the Cabalistic designs
the vesica and the double cube were the rule of all struc-
tures and mystic designs. The very fact of the authorship
of the four gospels being attributed to persons whose
symbols typify the four corners of the Zodiac, shows at
what a very early date, if not from the very beginning, this
manner of teaching had been adopted by the church. The
sacrifice on the Cross was the great act of all time, so that
Figure has been the most sacred.

At the very commencement of his treatise, Fludd asks
the “ candid Reader ” to see in the Hebrew characters of
the Divine name, the living and fiery symbols of the sacred
Trinity. These are emblazoned, as on letters of fire, on
that shield, and will be the very means by which they who

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

14W*

a“re evil shall be precipitated into the Stygian Lake. But
the ineffable word of God, in whom is truth and perfection,
will for ever remain in its absolute glory.

To you therefore, exclaims our author, brethren of the
true doctrine and secret philosophy, sheltered under the
Divine wings — far removed from the derision, obstinacy, and
desperate wickedness, who share with me the sanctuary of
Truth, who desire to penetrate into the mysteries of Arcane
Theosophy — to you, and to you alone, I direct my voice.
The Gentiles have but sought to imitate the true doctrine,
and the prophet Baruch speaks truly when he says of them,
the Agarens and those of Theman, these have not known
the way of wisdom, nor remembered her paths. Their
opinions are only begotten of the darkness of the lower
nature, and they have not realised that the One, most holy,
sole and true knowledge of Jehovah, has been declared by
His word and wisdom to men of just life and true piety.
Thus can the divinely illuminated cry out, “ I understand
more than the ancients, for I keep Thy precepts.” This is
that wisdom of which Daniel spoke to King Nebuchad-
nezzar — “ the secret which the king hath demanded, cannot
the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the sooth-
sayers show unto the king, but there is a God in heaven
that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king what
shall be in the latter days.” Then also did the magi and
wise men of Egypt acknowledge that Jehovah was superior
to all their arts. Alas I many still follow the example of
the king of old, who, forgetting that there was a God in
Israel, sought to Baalzebub, the God of Ekron.

In a postscriptum, Fludd, lest the reader should, being
ignorant of the Hebrew language, be deterred from the
study of what follows, points out that only the knowledge
of the Hebrew letters or characters is required. These
letters are full of divine meaning.

Before proceeding further with some account of the
work, it is to be noted that its form is much less attractive
than that of the earlier parts of the “ Historia.” The type

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD. 121

is small, and the whole style poorer than what precedes it.
There are very few illustrations, and those given are poorly
done.

The first part of the first section is entitled, “ De
characteribus supernaturalibus et mysticis, seu Elementis
primariis, Archetypicis, atque supersubstantialibus, in Libros
tres distributa.” It commences with a prelude on the word
“ principium.” This word, used in the very beginning of
holy scripture, is derived from a primitive root, signifying
head, victory, summit, & c. This word, also properly ex-
plained through Cabalistic science, comprehends all creation.
“ He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth
out to light the shadow of death.” The letters which form
the ineffable mystery of the Tetragrammaton are light,
spirit, and fire. The value of the Hebrew letters as
numerals is next explained.

The great extent of Fludd’s Cabalistic learning and
wonderful ingenuity are seen at great length in this part of
the work. The letters of the Sacred Name are used to
distinguish the different parts of man’s body.

On a diagram, at the eighth page of the introduction,
these are pictured as on the head, the breast, and the
centre of the male figure. Man thus becomes a god — head,
intellect, heart — life, the centre — natural faculty. At the
same time we are to remember the saying of S. Paul — “ The
letter killeth ; it is the Spirit that giveth life.” Still, the
words of Zophar have a true meaning — That He would
show the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that
which is.” All creation is mothered or manifested in these
letters — Aleph, darkness, grossness of earth ; Shin, fire
or light ; Mem, water. Others represent the seven planets,
the twelve signs of the Zodiac. True it is that men now,
as in the days of Job, see not the bright light in the
clouds.

In the Iod [the upright], the whole Tetragrammaton is
included. Yet the four letters — 1, 2, 3, 4=10 — proceed
from the first, and return to it. It is the centre, TJnus,

122

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

unicus, unicum, i.e., principium, medium et finis. “ He,”
the Hebrew letter, is the symbol of spirit or divine breath-
ing. “Vau” again, is the spiritual “vinculum.” It joins
all in one. Thus the macrocosmos and the microcosmos
have their likeness and complement — the one of the other,
and in the other. “ Iod ” is the fountain of living waters.
A curious diagram is given (at page 11) of a balance.
From Iod in glory issues the divine hand, holding the
balance, the upright beam of which is “ Vau.” In the one
scale is “ Caelum Empyreum, leve ignis ” ; in the other,
“ Caelum Elementare grave terra.” “ Dost thou know the
balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of Him who
is perfect in knowledge ?”

The ineffable name, Tetragrammaton, taking rise from
Iod as from a root, spreads in incomparable grandeur, and
remains in eternal position in the heavens, spreading to the
very centre of the spheres. The very power of Iod is
Messiah. It was that same power which spake with Adam
in Paradise before the fall, but which, in the vision of
Elias, overturned, tore up the mountains by the power of
his lightnings and earthquake. The fulness of the power of
the name of God can thus be seen — its distinction again in
the still small voice. The last letter indicates the elemen-
tary region.

In the third chapter the ten sephiroths or splendours
are named and explained. These form the garment of light
with which Jehovah has covered Himself. They are the
crown, wisdom, understanding, strength or severity, mercy
or magnificence, beauty, victory or eternity, and glory, the
foundation, the kingdom. The infinite, incomprehensible
essence of God cannot be immediately communicated to
the creature. God acts by His perfections, and the soul
shows them by reason and virtue. These splendours were
also the means or instruments which the great and supreme
Architect of the world made use of — still they are always
united to God, as the flame is to the substance that burns.
The rays of the sun are not divided from it, so these

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

123

splendours are not separated from God. They are all in
the letters of the Tetragrammaton. The first three are
doubtless the greatest and most powerful. The Messiah
exists in Jehovah, as the light of the sun in the sun. The
lower world — the empyreum — is made holy. Such holy
places were Bethel, where Paradise seemed again to appear,
“ for God was in that place,” where the ladder was set up
from earth to heaven. As again, Horeb, where Moses saw
the flame in the bush, and was told to put off his shoes, the
very ground being holy. God is present in all, and His
unity is declared by all. On page 74 is a fivefold picture
representing Iod crowned. “ His excellency is over Israel,
and His strength in the clouds. Thy throne is established
from old, Thou art from everlasting.” He (next to Iod) is
in a splendour. God is clothed with light as with a
garment. Jehovah reigneth ; He is clothed with majesty
and strength. Yau — Jehovah — placed His tabernacle in
the sun. The lower He — the lower heaven — “ who layetli
the beams of his chambers in the waters, who maketh the
clouds his chariot, who walketh upon the wings of the
wind the earth surrounded by the seas ; c< the spirit of
the Lord filleth the world.” “ Your body is the temple of
the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God,”
that “ temple of God which is holy.”

The next part of the treatise is “ De elementis secundis
et physicis.” Darkness, water, light — ■" and darkness was
upon the face of the deep, and the spirit of God moved
upon the face of the waters, and God said, let there be
light, and there was light.” First there was darkness,
then waters, the spirit rising from the bright aleph. The
significance of the other Hebrew letters is given. The last,
the final, is the mark of Cain, the end and consummation.

The next book treats “ De primariis naturae Elementis.”
First, the reign of total darkness. “ Darkness was upon
the face of the earth,” the abyss of nature. Secondly, the
reign of partial darkness. “ He discovereth deep things
out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of

124

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

death.” Thus speaks Trismegistus — “ For there were in
the chaos an infinite darkness in the abyss or bottomless
depth, and waters, [but also] a subtle spirit intelligible in
power, and there went out the holy light, and the elements
were coagulated from the sand out of the moist substance.”
The first light of the spirit showed the abyss and revealed
the waters. “ I alone compassed the circuit of heaven and
walked in the bottom of the deep.” The sphere was all
lined with air, carried about in a circular motion by the
spirit of God. Fludd undoubtedly knew the ancient
opinion that matter, first gathered into shape, was imaged
by the serpent, which at last circled itself, and so became an
emblem of eternity. Boehme also saw this. The circular
motion, the wheel of nature, the wheel of life, the wheel of
anguish. S. James (iii. 6), speaking of the course or wheel
of nature exemplified by the fiery tongue, has the same
idea. “ Among the ancient heathen sages, Heraclitus was
aware of this wheel in the universe when he spoke of an
unwearied coursing fire, by the quenching of which the
universe was produced.” 1 The same idea, the wheel of life,
is seen by Ezekiel. “ The prophet first saw or heard a
whirlwind out of the north (which may suggest to us the
almighty will of God as the impelling power), and he
beheld a thick cloud, and a fire enfolding itself, circling, and
whirling about itself.” 2

The third region of darkness is chaos. But this region
“ non sunt ita manes et vacuae ut precedentis.” It has Shin
in the centre— the light— the rays of Jehovah burst upon
it. The power of God is not seen in hyle. The abyss is
now at hand ; it is a mass — rude, confused, ill-sorted. Yet
this unformed mass contains the material of heaven and
earth. The third day has arrived ; the voice of God calls
the waters together ; dry land appears ; seeds, herbs, fruit
trees are given ; the light of God is in the midst. S. Peter
refers to this (2 Ep. iii. 5) — “ By the word of God the
heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the
1 Martinsen’s Boohme, 79. 2 Martinsen’s Boehme, 79.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

125

water, and in the water.” The Tiber illustrates this. Do
we not see it turbid, muddy, and slimy — a water, dense,
opaque, but in twenty-four hours again clear and diaph-
anous ? So was it with the primordial mass of waters.
The deposit became land. Thus water is the mother,
holding in solution all fruits, vegetables, animals, and
minerals, sulphur, sal, and mercurj'. “ For he hath founded
it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods/’

The earth is the true seat of darkness, and when not
operated on by the warmth of the sun, the tabernacle of
God is frigid. We see this at the far north, at the ultimate
Pole. Olaus Magnus tells us that at the extreme north of
Sweden a huge mass of land is in perpetual obscurit}^,
continually frozen, with abundance of ice and snow. There
is the treasury of God from whence the snow comes. “ Hast
thou entered into the treasures of the snow, or hast thou
seen the treasures of the hail ?” Thus the extreme polar
regions are the founts of frigidity, where the snow and hail
are condensed. “ Cold comes out of the north ; by the
breath of God frost is given.” The cabalistic symbol or
sign of the waters is the letter Mem.

The next book treats of the primary elements of nature.
Water, the mother of clouds, and of all elements, the
supreme mother. Yet the saying of Trismegistus is true —
“ The father is the sun, and the mother truly is the moon.”
A question is raised — Was water created fresh or salt ? It
was at first sweet, but after its separation and conjunction
with the earth, it took the nature of saltness. “ An aqua
sen sum in se habeat nee ne ?” This is answered in the
affirmative, for the Psalm (148) calls, “ Praise the Lord, ye
waters that be above the heavens,” and “ heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them, praise the Lord.” The
waters were spoken to by Moses, Joshua, Elias, and Christ,
and responded in obedience. But vast mysteries are in
waters. In them proper occult power, operation, and motion
are included. The mother of all things, in whose belly the
“ spermata rerum ” is contained. The heavens condense

126

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

into waters, the stars are born from and return into water.
“ Three things bear witness on earth — the water, and the
spirit, and the blood — and these three are one.” There are
many New Testament mysteries as to water. Baptism is
“ ex aqua.” We read also of living water, and the water of
life in Paradise. The cloudy pillar in the time of Moses
was of water. The noise of many waters was heard by
Ezekiel, in his vision of the living creatures, when he stood
by the river Chebar.

Light is next explained. Shin is lire and light. “ The
Lord talked with you face to face in the mount, out of the
midst of the fire.” God is beyond and within all. Shin,
Mem. Shin is Sol, that which ministers light. Mem, the
limpid spirit of water, is in the centre of light.

Light is really the invisible Word of God. All subsist
in it. It is the Divine Word set forth by S. John in the
beginning of his gospel. The Fiat is eternal, divine, the
splendour of the divine glory, the image of the Invisible,
the essence of divinity, and the light of the world. The
human heart, receiving and apprehending it, is lighted by
it into everlasting life. Not that this light is seen by
human eyes, but with the spirit with which God has
endowed man. Not till the body is purified and made
clean, like the body of Christ, can it be perceived.
“ Through faith we understand that the worlds were
framed by the word of God ; so that things which are seen
were not made of things which do appear.” 1 That which
is visible was made by condensation, by the subtile and
invisible spirit or water. " The Lord God is a sun and
shield. He will give grace [or light] and glory.” For as
the sun, which is the light of the visible world, gives life to
vegetables and growth to visible bodies, so the divine
wisdom is the more precious sun, and gives strength
and blessing. In the interior spirit the law of Christ is
written, as the law of Moses in the external and visible.
The universal and mystical word, the light uncreated, is

1 Heb. xi. iii.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

127

exhibited in universal nature by the watery Mem and the
igneous Shin. So we are to venerate Jehovah as revealed
in the light of the sun, moon, and stars ; in them, by them
existing, and existing beyond all and in all. His power is
seen both in macrocosm and microcosm, even in the fire of
Gehenna. The way to Paradise is shown by the perfect
light of His word, that light formerly seen on Urim and
Thummim.

The next section treats of the sacred numbers contained
in the Tetragrammaton. The universe is divided into
twenty-seven parts, produced from the perfect and exact
number, three. Thus the Platonists declare that 999
includes or comprehends all mysteries. Cabalists teach
that the Tetragrammaton, in its sacred number, encircles
and comprehends all things. For He is 5 and again 5 ;
Iod, 10 ; Vau, 6 — 26 ; and the root or colei, Aleph, 1 — 27.

Thus is God said to be Alpha and Omega — the be-
ginning and the end.

Fludd afterwards shows that by the teachings of the
Platonists and Trismegistus, the world Zoon is an animal ;
wherefore the Psalmist exclaims — “ Heaven and earth,
praise God, and rejoice before him.” 1 So, then, as the
macrocosm is, so also must be the microcosm. He is the
Son and image of God, who fills all, and so not an inept
figure of the greater world. The ten Sephiroths have their
complement in man. “ He made man a little lower than
the angels, and crowned him with glory and honour.” Man
should have had in him the virtues of the ten Sephiroths,
but has been tainted in Elieh the Radix — Adam — and all
the branches of the tree are corrupted. But the second
Adam, the Redeemer, had no sin or taint. That root was
pure and free from corruption. When, therefore, we pray,
“ Fiat voluntas,” &c., we pray that God’s will may be done
— in heaven, the spiritual nature ; on earth, in the human,
bodily nature. The ten Sephiroths are exhibited in man,

1 Kepler, Fludd’s opponent, held the same opinion. — Bethune’s Life of
Kepler, p. 40.

128

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

thus — God, mind, intellect, reason, memory, strength,
phantasia, internal sense, external sense, and will. So,
again, the different attributes of Jehovah are exhibited in
the Sephiroths. Take “ Jah in Hocma,” for instance. This
is divine wisdom, which is the word and mission sent into
the world to dwell in the minds of men. The Sephiroths
form the leaves of a tree, of which Tetragrammaton is the
trunk. In men the will is the “ dux et gubernator sensum” ;
it is the root, and so the head. At page 157 is the diagram.
The root is above, and the leaves issuing from the lesser He
below for “ influxus omnium Sephirotharum cadunt in
Malchut, ut stellarum superiorum in Lunse orbes cavitatem.”
This, therefore, is the beginning of both macro and micro
cosmos, named the Word, which was in the beginning, in
which was the life, the beginning and the end, properly, in
the Apocalypse, called Alpha and Omega, and that tree of
life of which whosoever eats shall live for ever, triumphing
over death, hell, and the devil. The names of Adam and
the earlier patriarchs contain elementary mysteries — Adam,
Aleph-Daleth-Mem. The red earth, of which Adam was
formed, had in it the virtue of the Sephiroths ; it was,
therefore, matter pure and good — a ruby or carbuncle gem.
As Trismegistus says — “ Pater ejus est sol, mater vera
luna, et ventus putant eum in ventro suo.” The work, as
we have it, ends with a short compendium of the whole,
or glass of universal causes. Two curious diagrams
conclude the work, showing in circles, first, the compounds
out of which the animal, vegetable, and mineral bodies are
produced; the other, the elements out of which man was
made. These are both shown to have a distinct relation to
the Tetragrammaton. The diagram representing the
elements relating to man has beneath it this sentence : —
“ Sic factus est mundus ad imaginem Tetragrammati, sic
creatus est Homo ad exemplar mundi, unde ainbo a Mer-
curio Trismegisto haud inconsulse Dei filii nuncupantur.”
Other two volumes are promised, in which the work is to
be completed. Fludd thinks that the ignorant will treat his

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

129

labours with derision and laughter ; yet he declares he
issues the work secure on a good conscience, and declares it
to be the result of patient labour. He will be content
without the vain honours or the riches of the world, being
only desirous that he may in peace serve God and receive
from Him the impress of His living Spirit. “ In cujus
alarum umbra hucusque cecini et semper canam.”

CHAPTER XIV.

FLUDD, MEESENNE, AND GASSENDI.

Mersenne — History — Gassendi — History — Mersenne’s Commentary on
Genesis — Attacks Fludd — Accuses him of Magic — Answers — Gas-
sendi more favourable to Fludd — 1622 — The Sophioe cum Moria
Certamen, 1629 — Title — in four books — Fludd’s Prayer to the
Eternal Wisdom — The Summum Bonum — The Cross and Rose on
the title — A Defence of the Rosicrucians — The Spiritual Palace —
Meaning of the Rose and Cross — The word “ Magia” — Bacon and
Trithemius — The Cabala — The Mystic Wisdom — Cabala true or
spurious — Fludd’s Conclusions seven in number — The true Alchemy
— Jehovah the Foundation and Christ the Corner Stone — Defence of
the Rosicrucians — They dwell in the House of God — The House of
the Holy Spirit — The “ Petra” — The Mystic Castle of Bethlehem —
The Rose, why added to the Cross — Author acknowledges his Mem-
bership — A Letter appended — Gassendi’s “ Exercitatio.”

MERSENNE, a scholar of the Sorbonne, entered
himself among the Minims, and received the habit of
that order July 17, 1611. He was the chief literary friend
of Descartes ; a man of universal learning, a prolific author,
one who had a peculiar talent in curious questions. One of
his more famous works is that entitled, “ Questiones Cele-
berimte in Genesim, cum accurata textus explicatione, in quo
volumine Athei et Deisti impugnantur,” <foc. ; Paris, 1622.
Mersenne had to suppress two sheets of this work in which
he “ gives a list of the atheists of his time,” specifying
different works and opinions. He tells us there were 50,000
atheists in Paris alone ; but by this he probably meant the
French Protestants. He is described as “ a bigotted and
uncritical writer, who seems to have suffered from chronic
atheism on the brain.” 1

1 Hunt, Skeptics of Italian Ren., 355.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

131

Peter Gassendi, also a Frenchman, was born in 1592.
From childhood he had a turn for astronomy, and became
Professor of Mathematics at Paris in 1645. He wrote lives
of Copernicus and others, but died through excess of study.
His works were published in 1658, in six folio volumes.
Gassendi was undoubtedly a man of “ sound judgment,
extensive learning, and capacious memory.”

Mersenne, in his Commentary on Genesis, attacked the
works of Fludd, whose severity in answer was the cause
of the publication of a tract by Gassendi in defence of
Mersenne. It was published at Paris in 1628, under the
title — “ Epistolica exercitatio in qua prsecipuse principise
philosophise Roberti Fludd deteguntur, et ad recentes illius
libros ad versus patrem Marinum Mersennum scriptos res-
pond etur.” This tract was written in Holland. Mersenne,
setting out for the Netherlands, “ had put Fludd’s book
into his hands for that purpose.” 1 In the controversy with
Foster, Fludd refers to these matters. Mersenne had
accused him of magic. Fludd “ excused himself in his
Booke,” entitled, “ Sophise cum moria certamen.” He adds
that his intention in the “ Historia ” “ was to write as well
the naturall discoverie of the great world, and the little
world, which we call man, as well as to touch by way of an
Encyclophy or Epitome of all arts, as well lawful, which I
did commend, as those which are esteemed unlawfull, which
I did utterly condemne as superstitious, and of little or no
probabilitie at all ; among the rest, where I came to speake
of the Arts which belong unto the little world or man, I
mention the Science of Genethlialogie, which treateth of
the Judgement of Nativities, wherein I produce the great
dispute between the two famous philosophers, Porphyrie
and Iamblicus, whereof the first did hold that a man might
come to the knowledge of his owne Genius or good Angell
by the art of astrologie. . . . Iamblicus his opinion

was that a man had neede of the assistance and knowledge
of a higher spirit than was any of those which were

1 Chalmers’ Biog. Die., xxiii. 83.

132

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Governours of Fatalitie. . . . I seemed there to consent

with Iainblicus, averring with him, that without the reve-
lation of that high and heavenly Spirit, which was granted
unto the Elect, none could come to the familiartie or
knowledge of his good Angell .” 1 The use of the word
“ Encyclophy,” which also appears in Maier’s “ Arcana,” is
undoubtedly the original of that much abused and rather
deceitful term, “ Encylcopsedia.”

Hundreds of men — churchmen, doctors of physic, and
others — “ averred that D. Fludd had answered Mersennus
so fully, as well on that occasion [as to magic] as all other
points layd by him unto his charge, that hee could not be
able to reply against it.” Gassendi, though willing to
attempt Mersenne’s defence, did not approve of the name
magician as applied to Fludd. The atheism and heresy
charged against Fludd by Mersenne are not alleged by
Gassendi. Fludd says that he found Gassendi to be a
“ good philosopher, and an honest and well-conditioned
gentleman .” 2 As to Mersenne, he alleges that his aim was
“ to have me change my Religion, and to gain me to that
side, and for that intent he promiseth me, if I will leave my
Heresie (as he termeth it), many rewards and courtesies.” 3
This is not improbable. Fludd’s immense learning, his
freedom from insular prejudice in regard to religious
matters, was undoubtedly disturbing. In a sense he
marked a new era. A man, hated and attacked by the
Jesuits, and who yet was so learned as to be chosen
tutor to princes of the house of Guise, to relatives of the
Pope, and to other Roman Catholic youths of high birth
and promise, was no ordinary man. Culture, refinement,
went along with learning and immense diligence. Fludd
proved himself in all circumstances an ardent supporter
of the church of his baptism. The Bishops of England
were his chief friends, and King James his constant patron.

Some years elapsed before Fludd published his answer

1 Squeesing of Foster, 11, 12. 2 Squeesing of Foster, IS.

3 Squeesing of Foster, 23.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

133

to Mersenne. The book on Genesis appeared in folio at
Paris in 1622. Fludd’s answer was published at Frankfort
in 1629. It is entitled — “ Sophise Cum Moria Certamen, In
quo, Lapis Lydius a Falso S true tore, Fr. Marino Mersenno>
Monacho, Reprobatus, celeberrima Voluminis sui Baby-
lonici (in Genesin) figmenta accurate examinat.” The
motto is the 20th and 21st verses of Isaiah, chap, v., “ Woe
unto them that call evil good/’ &c. ; “ woe unto them that
are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight.”
Two Latin verses on the back of the title are addressed,
“ Marino Mersenno Fratri fraterrimo, minimorum mini-
missimo.” One is subscribed, “ Jacobus Aretius Oxoniensis.”
Mersenne is represented, “ dente Theonino,” tearing the
brethren of the Rosy Cross to pieces. The other verse is signed
“ I. M. Cantabrigiensis,” and is headed, “ Sus, in Minervam
ruens.” The treatise extends to 118 pages, beside index,
&c. It is divided into four books. The first contains a
defence of Fludd’s opinions on the Macrocosmos, the
harmony, the consonance [consonantiis] in the macrocosm.
He shows that his opinions are neither new, and far from
atheistic. The second book treats of the “ Anima Mundi.”
The third bears away the suspicion of his being a “ Caco-
magician,” and explains his views as to angelic nature and
life, the mortality of the “ anima,” and his views on music
and the Chirosophic question. The fourth book contains
Fludd’s defence of his Cabalistic opinions. A prayer or
meditation follows. It is addressed to the Eternal Wisdom,
dwelling in light eternal — the spotless mirror of God’s
majesty. Fliidd claims his place in the church catholic,
apart altogether from the contracted terms of the Church
of Rome. In regard to the charge of unlawful magic,
Fludd appeals to the searcher of hearts to search his very
soul and see how false such an accusation is. In an
“ Epistola ad Lectorem,” he includes a letter from a friend
at Oxford defending him from Mersenne’s charges.
This letter is signed “ Tuus in Domino A. B.” Except in
the verse prefixed, the order of the Rosy Cross is not

134

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

mentioned in the Sophiae. Affixed to the “ Sophiae ” is the
famous treatise — “ Summum Bonum, Quod est

Verum

Magise

Cabals

Alchymire

Fratrum Rose® Crucis verorum.

Verce

Subjectum.

“ In dictarum Scientiarum laudem, et insignis calum-
niatoris Fratris Marini Mersenni dedecus publicatum, Per
Ioachimum Frizium.” Frankfort, 1629. On the title-page
is the emblematic rose springing from a cross stem. (See
frontispiece.) Two bees are represented, one on the rose,
the other approaching it. On the one side are beehives,
on the other a thicket with spiders' webs spun across it.
Over a stream, in the distance, appears a city. Fludd is
understood to have denied the authorship of this work,
which is in reality a defence of the claims of the Brethren
of the Rosy Cross. There can be little doubt that this
work, if not directly composed by Fludd, was issued under
his supervision and certainly with his approval. The one
treatise is the complement of the other. Mersenne is
answered by Fludd in the “ Sophiae,” and the views of Fludd
and his friends are inculcated in the “ Summum Bonum.”
The controversy will be most fitly considered when we
come to the treatise in answer to Gassendi — the “ Clavis
Philosophiae," issued in 1633. The " Summum Bonum ” is
a folio of 54 pages. “ The book treats of the noble art of
magic, the foundation and nature of the Cabala, the essence
of veritable alchemy, and of the ‘ Causa Fratrum Roseae
Crucis.' It identifies the palace or home of the Rosi-
crucians with the spiritual house of wisdom. ‘ Ascendamus
ad montem rationabilem, et aedificemus domum Sapientiae.’
The foundation of the mountain thus referred to is declared
to be the ‘ Lapis Angularis,’ the corner stone, cut out
of the mountain without hands. The stone is Christ. It
is the spiritual palace which the Rosicrucians desire to
reveal, and is therefore no earthly or material abode.
There is a long disquisition on the significance of the

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

135

Rose and the Cross, a purely spiritual interpretation being
adopted.” 1

The first book explains the expression, “ De Magia.” It
is of Persian origin, and a “ magus ” is a wise philosopher
and a priest in one. There are two sorts of “ magic ” —
that truly divine, and that mundane and foolish. The
former is that worthy of investigation — “the wisdom of
God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom . . revealed

unto us b}^ His Spirit.” Magic is thus either good or bad
— good “ id est Theosophia — anthroposophia — referring to
the divine life in and by the Word of God — God’s govern-
ment of angels — natural science of moral and politic
philosophy. The evil “magic” is also twofold — Catasophia,
Cacodemonia — ignorance of God’s word and governance,
friendship with devils, idolatry, atheism, magic potions,
necromantia, theurgia, phantasmic illusions, and tricks of
jugglery. The writer goes on to argue that all magic is not
rejected by Christian authors, but only that part 'hateful
and abominable. This, by its spirit and exhalation, was
really the cause of Adam’s lapse.

On the other hand, the ancient magi were investigators
and explorers into natural science. Being both learned and
expert in art, they were accounted workers of miracles.
They were not caco-magicians, but really wise in that
divine wisdom, the very gift of God. Of these were the
wise men, who came to adore the new-born Christ. These
came from colleges or schools, in which the ancient magic
was taught, and from which it spread — Indian, Persian,
Chaldaic, and Ethiopic. Some of their great teachers were
Buddha, Numa Pompilius, Zamolxides, Abbarus, Hermes,
Zoroaster. It is evident that those called magi in the holy
gospel must have been such as properly deserved the name ;
that name, thus honoured in Scripture, should not be con-
sidered or rendered odious by men.

The writer commences his reference to Mersenne by
showing the approval of Roger Bacon and Trithemius —

1 Waite’s His. of Ros., 295.

136

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

“ vir in ecclesia Romana sestimationis haud minimse ” — of
the light shed by natural science on religion. Mersenne
had condemned Agrippa as a sort of Archimagus. Agrippa
is made to answer for himself, showing that the ancient
magi an writers had done good service to the cause of true
religion — the Sybils, for instance, who had so openly fore-
told the advent of Christ. The true magic, therefore, is the
“ Summum Bonum ” of philosophers. Even under the
numbers, character, and various modes of conjuration which
are used by caco-magicians, may be hidden truths and
arcane knowledge. Aristotle, and the whole “ turba
philosophorum,” have declared that the heavens show signs
which are known through secret arts, the use of which does
not move God to anger. Pearls are not to be cast before
swine, nor holy things to be given to dogs. Christ Himself
spake by parables.

The second book of the “ Summum Bonum ” treats of
the nature, origin, and ground of the Cabala. It is ex-
plained to be the mystery of God and nature received by
the ear or by tradition. The name is of Hebrew derivation,
and the art ancient. It began at Adam, was more com-
pletely understood by Moses ; thence it was handed down,
in regular succession, from father to son. Abel and J acob
had the sight and knowledge of God denied to Cain and
Esau. By this mystic wisdom the ancient patriarchs,
Noah, Abraham, Lot, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, wrought their
mighty acts. This same divine wisdom is refered to by the
apostle as spoken in mystery. By it was the oblation of
Abel accepted, and that of Cain rejected. Moses communi-
cated it in the wilderness to the seventy elders. Solomon,
Ezra, and the Maccabees were its preservers, till Christ,
filled with the perfection of the spirit of wisdom, taught the
apostles, and promised to be with them and their successors
even to the end of the world.

The Cabala is either true or spurious. Of the former
there are two species — Cosmo! ogia, referring to matters
heavenly and terrestrial — Mercana, estq. vel Notariaca ;

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

137

Theomantica. Of the spurious Cabala there are three
species — Gematria, Notariaca, Temurah.

After some discussion relative to Mersenne’s charges, the
writer sums up the premises in certain conclusions, which
he addresses to the most Christian readers : —

1. That as all Christians are said to be living stones,
they bear the same name and are the same in significance
as S. Peter.

2. That as all Christians are stones, members of the
great “ petra Catholica,” it follows that no single man, not
even S. Peter, can alone be said to be the foundation of the
Catholic Church.

3. As Christ lay hidden in the rock of Moses, and as the
spiritual body lies hidden in the natural body, so the words
of the apostle are true — “ The letter killeth, but the Spirit
giveth life.”

4. The true corner stone is Christ.

5. The Incarnation opened the way to the knowledge of
what that corner stone is.

C. Vain, therefore, are all traditions and teachings which
would persuade us that Cephas was this foundation.

7. God having willed to tabernacle amongst mortal
men, uses the same imagery and confirms its explanation
as now given. “ Listen,” says the prophet, “ and see the
rock from which ye were hewn.”

Cabalistic doctrine is not, then, to be treated as matter
of mirth or scorn, but is a matter for enquiry, and is of
assistance to serious and studious minds desirous of pro-
fessing true wisdom.

The third book treats of the true Alchemy. In
connection with this there is a spurious chemistry, which,
in vain tinctures, tries to turn white to red, and seeks to
enquire too closely into the methods of creation. Mersenne
is charged with a vehement and wholesale denunciation of
this art. He holds that the opinion of Paracelsus, and the
hopes of the universal medicine, are foolish, and that the
great and learned Picus Mirandola was both ignorant and

138

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

audacious ; that the elixir is a fiction — indeed, a subject fit
for laughter and derision. Fludd is introduced as replying
to his objections — that the opinions of Picus and Synesius
were a thousand-fold weightier than those of Mersenne,
who had little or no practical acquaintance with such
matters. Mersenne ridicules all the secret art of the
alchemist, but is told to restrain his laughter. The “all
things” which the Divine Spirit has promised to teach,
exclude no science. The world was made by the wisdom
of Jehovah. He is the foundation. Truly and properly
understood, this is marvellous in our eyes. Rightly under-
stood, alchemy has a far deeper meaning. Our gold is not
the gold of the vulgar, but the living gold, the very gold of
God. For, cries the Psalmist, “the words of the Lord are
pure words ; as silver tried in the furnace of earth, purified
seven times.” The true gold is that fire, that life given
forth from Christ. It was by this pure cup of wisdom, the
very life and food from God, that Elias in the desert, and
Moses on the mount of God, were sustained and preserved.
Christ, also, when in the desert, under the temptation of
Satan, shared that divine sustenance. It was the very
word of Jehovah, not bread alone, but the very divine
nutriment. As in the desert the Israelites are represented
as fed by the bread of angels, and with living water, so a
like meaning is attached to the water of life, the bread
of life, the white stone, and the morning star in the
Apocalypse. The multiform gifts of wisdom, the gifts of
the Divine Spirit, are signified by many emblems. The
Urim and Thummim, the still small voice heard by Elias,
the burning coal which touched the prophet’s lips, the book
shown to S. John, the dove descending on Christ, the
tongues resting on the apostles, are some of these. The
sacred wisdom is that light and perfection signified by the
Urim and Thummim. Mersenne asks, “Where are these
golden mountains ?” Whosoever has the divine wisdom
has all things. Did not Christ say, “ If your faith be
as a grain of mustard seed, ye will be able to remove

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

139

mountains ?” Let that mind be in you which was in
Christ Jesus. There is a spiritual chemistry, which purges
by tears, sublimates by manners and virtues, decorates by
sacramental graces, makes even the putrid body and the
vile ashes to become living, and makes the soul capable of
contemplating the things of heaven and of the angelic
world. This is the application of spiritual chemistry, by
which, through the power of the resurrection of I. C. D. N.,
will confirm unto the end.

We conclude, therefore, that Jesus is the corner stone of
the temple of humanity, which, by His exhaltation, far
exceeds the glory of that of Solomon. Of that temple holy
men are the stones. They will attain the very perfection
of the purest gold, and are by that living influence, by the
mystic stone of the philosophers, by heavenly and divine
power, made the very house of God.

Mersenne is thus proved to be ignorant, nebulous, and
in darkness. As to the mystic alchemy, it is that alchemy
which will transform into the divine image, by the power
of the resurrection, the mortal bodies of men, either in this
life or in another.

Just as S. Paul teaches the same truth from his parable
of the wheat, so all who are led by the example of Christ
will accomplish that spiritual yet alchemical change.

In the fourth book, the cause of the Brethren of the
Rosy Cross is strenuously and boldly defended from
calumny and malice. The writer begins by quoting
Agrippa and Cardan as to the divine wisdom, the place of
its dwelling, and those who are its votaries. Since the
beginning of the world there has been a succession of men,
who, despising earthly and gross things, have devoted
themselves to research into the hidden mysteries and deep
knowledge. Few, indeed, have passed the portals of the
temple of wisdom ; for the most men prefer the broad road
to the narrow. Yet a few seek the tree of life, which is in
the Paradise of God, the hidden manna, the white stone, the
white vesture. Their names are written in the book of life,

140

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

and they become pillars in the spiritual temple. These,
indeed, inhabit the house of wisdom, which is founded on
the mount. These are the wise men spoken of by our
Saviour, who have founded their house on the rock, and
which will abide the tempest. Mersenne, indeed, asks,
“ Where is the dwelling of the Brethren ?” But to those
who seek to do the will of God, to their eyes wondrous
things will be shown. He who hates and abuses his
brethren, his place shall be in Gehenna. The dwelling-
place of the Brethren of the Rosy Cross is in the house of
God, of which Christ is made the corner stone. By their
lives they show themselves to be of the seed of God —
divine and elect. Mersenne had charged the Brethren with
blasphemy — that they were heretics, and false magians.
Fludd then goes on to say 1 that he had already defended the
Brethren in a traetate. This reference shows that Fludd,
or whoever was author of the “ Tractatus Apologetieus
was also author of the “ Summum Bonum.” No one can
doubt that the “ Sophire” and the “ Summum” are from the
same pen, acknowledged in the former case to be that of
Fludd. The case is next put in the form of a dilemma.
Either the Rosicrucians are truly and essential^ wise in
Magia, Cabala, and Alchymia, or a brood of adulterers, of
spurious origin, avaricious, proud, and malicious. If the
brethren are true, stand out before God, then they deserve
praise, and cannot be condemned as blasphemous. Their
dwelling cannot be that of Acheron, as suggested b}'
Mersenne.

The writer next refers to the existence of the Rosi-
crucian House of the Holy Spirit. What is it ? Their
true motto is — “ Ascendamus montem rationabilem et
mdificemus domum Sapientise.” The foundation of the
house is well known. It is that stone cut out without
hands, which became a great mountain, filling the whole
earth, and which broke the feet of the statue of false
worship. The mountain is the true Horeb and the real

1 p. 39.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

141

Zion. The “ petra ” is Christ, upon whom is built the
spiritual house. It is not built, as fools imagine, by
alchemy or magic, but is a divine structure. The Divine
Spirit must be there, for is it not declared in the 127th
Psalm, “ Except the Lord build the house, their labour is
but vain that build it V As for the inhabitants, “ Blessed
are they that walk in the ways of the Lord.” It is, indeed,
a house not made with hands, but has its eternity from
above. This is the house of wisdom, built upon the
“ rational mount ” or “ rock spiritual.” Thus can the
Brethren say, with S. Paul, “ I have planted, Apollos
watered, but God gave the increase.” Of this house does
the Psalmist speak when he says — “ I will come into thy
house in the multitude of thy mercy, and in thy fear will I
worship toward thy holy temple.” “ Lord, I have loved
the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine
honour dwelleth.” It may be thus seen that a temple of
human construction cannot be meant, for from the beginning
God dwelt not in temples made with hands. The house
constructed by the Brethren, then, is on the spiritual rock,
and is built up of the mystical stones of wisdom. It is the
mystic castle of Bethlehem — u de quo loquitur Evangelista
Christus erat de Castella Bethlehem ” ; the house of bread ;
Bethlem or Bethel — the house of God, where Jacob placed
the stone, and so called it: “the house of bread” — of the
manna which is the food of angels — bread from heaven,
living bread. Who, then, are those who inhabit this
spiritual house ? — living stones, built upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets ; an elect nation, who shall
reign as kings and priests — called from darkness to light —
who were once not a people, but are now the people of God.
These are they “ that have put off the mortal clothing and
put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God,
now are they crowned and receive palms ” (2 Esdras ii. 45).
These are they to whom it is said, “ Come, O house of
J acob, and walk in the light of the Lord.” They are called
the sons of God, the elect of God, prophets and friends of

142

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

God. They are the wise men, the holy nation, true
Christians and Catholics, the seed of Abraham, apostolic
brethren, brothers of Christ — the “ fraternitas Christiana.”
Those Christ declares to be his brethren, not indeed in flesh
and blood, yet of the seed of Abraham, according to the
spirit. They are of the incorruptible seed of the spirit.
Their head is Christ, and the head of Christ is God. These
living stones are the many members in one body. So,
therefore, the Apostle commands, “ Love the brotherhood,”
“ Let the love of the brotherhood remain in you.”

What, then, is the meaning of the Rose added to the
Cross ? To the former Mersenne can have no objection. It
is a solemn object of dedication “ in religione Romana.”
The red cross is well known to have been borne on the
breasts of the Christian athletes in the ware against the
Turks and Saracens. Confusion was brought into the
world through the gustation by Adam of the fruit of the
tree of good and evil. The Cross is the sign of mystic
wisdom — that which is from above, pure, peaceable, easy
to be entreated. In the older sjretem all things were
sprinkled with blood, and the serpent on the pole was a
symbol of the Cross. The Cross is indeed to the world
foolishness, but to the initiated it is the wisdom of God, the
expected sign. But only a sign. It is to the brethren the
sign of interior dedication — “ Take up thy cross and follow
me.” The Cross is the sign or symbol of Jesus Christ, the
head of mankind, and the leader of Israel to Bethlehem.
The red colour is that referred to by Isaiah — “ Their blood
shall be sprinkled on my garments.” The blood of Christ,
says the Apostle, “ cleanseth us from all sin.” Not the
human blood, but that mystical and divine, better than
that of Abel, which, though pure, was but human and of
earthly generation. The cup of the mystic sacrament is
declared to be “ Sanguis Christi.” The Cross is adorned
with roses and lillies — “ Mighty mountains whereupon there
grew roses and lillies, whereby I will fill thy children with
iov.” He to whom it refers is “ the rose of Sharon and the

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

143

lily of the valley.” We are workers together with God,
husbandmen planting and watering, but God gives the
increase. The earth is, as it were, fire, and the stones of it
the place of sapphires. So in the centre of our Cross is a
Rose of the colour of blood, to show that we have to plant
and labour till the impure be made pure, and the perfect
growth offered and transfixed in the centre. This labour
is the divine and sacred alchemy, and the full rose on the
Cross is its completion.

Fludd (or the author), at the end of the “ Summum
Bonum ” (p. 50), anticipates the question, “ Anne tu ex
Roseae Crucis fraterculis unus ? Ad ultimam interroga-
tionem dico, me mini me tan tarn unquam a Deo meruisse
gratam, agnoscentem cum Apostolo, non est istud donum
volentis aut currentis sed Dei miser escentes, si Deo placuisset
voluisse sat erit.” To satisfy the readers as to the actual
existence of the society, the author appends a letter, sup-
posed to have been written by a member of the order of the
Rosy Cross to an initiate. It was “ written and sent by ye
Brethren of R.C. to a certain Germaine, a coppy whereof
Dr. Flud obtained of a Polander of Dantziche, his friend.”
It is entirely of a religious nature. The letter refers to the
initiate as in the first year of his nativity, and bade him
proceed in the fear of God, who alone is circumference and
centre. The immoveable palace of the brethren is declared
to be the centre of all things — it is “ the resplendent and
invisible castle which is built upon the mountaine of the
Lord, out of whose root goeth forth a fountaine of living
waters, and a river of love.” The letter is signed “ F. T. F.,
in Light and C.” It gives but a poor idea of the teaching
or erudition of the Brotherhood. 1

An epilogue of one page concludes the “ Summum
Bonum.” It inculcates diligence in the fear and reverence
of God, and in moral duties.

“ Mersenne being obviously no match for Fludd either
in learning or in polemic wit, Gassendi stepped forward
1 See it translated in Waite, pp. 296-300.

144

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

into his place and published (in 1630) an excellent rejoinder
to Fludd in his “ Exercitatio Epistolica,” which analysed
and ridiculed the principles of Fludd in general, and, in
particular, reproached him with his belief in the romantic
legend of the Rosicrucians. Upon this, Fludd, finding
himself hard pressed under his conscious inability to assign
their place of abode, evades the question in his answer to
Gassendi (published in 1633), by formally withdrawing the
name Rosicrucians. 1 Fludd himself tells us what was
“ the ground of the malice” of Mersenne, “ that hee, having
written of the Harmony of the World, and finding that a
Booke of that subject set out by mee was verie acceptable
to his countrymen, hee invented this slander [of magic]
against me and my Harmonie, that thereby he might bring
his owne into the better reputation.” Mersenne was
“ checked by his judicious friend,” Gassendi, “for calling me
unjustly a Magitian and other misbeseeming names.”

1 De Quincey’s Inquiry, iv. 408.

CHAPTER XV.

THE CHARGES AGAINST FLUDD BY GASSENDI, AND
fludd’s REPLY IN HIS “CLAVIS.”

1630 — Gassendi — Fludd charged with holding the Bible as an Alchemical
Work — The “Stone Catholic” — Soul of the World — Breath of
Angels — 1633 — The“Clavis” — The Title — The Opponents dealt
with — Alchemy really the division of the true from the false
— in the Laboratory of Nature — ever going on — “Tabernacle” of
God in the Sim — Fludd and Evolution— “ Chemists ” succeed
“Alchemists” — Fludd and Kepler — Kepler’s “ Harmonices,” 1619 —
Fludd criticises twenty-six passages — The Answer, and the “ Mono-
chordum ” — Kepler’s Discoveries — Contrast — Cosmic Harmonies
interest both — Music to us a Divine Refrain.

A s already stated, Gassendi published his charges against
Fludd in the year 1630. These are six in number.
He charges Fludd with holding that the whole of scripture
refers to alchemy and alchemical principles. The sense of
the Bible is just the history of alchemy, and the secrets of
the Cabalistic art are the foundation of it. It is of no con-
sequence what form of religion is professed, whether it be
Roman, Lutheran, or any other. That only is Catholic
which relates to the “ Stone Catholic.” By that philosophic
art, devils are commanded, good spirits evoked, and the
innumerable secrets of nature laid bare. This is the first
charge. The second is that the Deity being light pervading
and giving life to all things, “ He enters not in anything
unless a mask of the object is adopted as the medium in
which he fixes.” This aura, the infinite, ethereal Spirit, is
the spring of “ moving spirits.” God is identical with this
supreme Spirit. The sun is the “ material nucleus, the

146

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

lucid, conflux spot,” stored with vigour, “ sensitiveness, and
intelligence.” From this “ blaze of power,” life vibrates
from the centre to the circumference. God thus appears to
be identical with matter. Thirdly, the soul of the world
“ is the general investment ” of “ divine movement.” The
purer part is of the breath of the angels. “ The anima
mundi is the flaming spiritual region, in which all things
live.” Though daemons are portions of life, yet, being buried
or lost, are chained in “ inapprehensive matter.” “ All
particular f sentiences/ whether of the brutes or man, are
nothing other than parts of the whole lucid spirit. Of the
same soul (in essence) is the Archangel Michael or Mitra-
tron. Also, all the angels in their sevenfold regions, both
of the bad and of the good, of the dexter and of the
sinister sides of creation.” In the fourth place, what seems
more wonderful, is that this same soul of the world is the
Messiah Saviour, Christ, the corner stone of the universal
“ petra,” upon which the Church and the whole salvation of
men is founded. This is the true beatitude — the “ philoso-
pher’s stone” or “foundation” — which, shining in “glorified
agony,” is said to be the very “ blood ” of Christ, which He
shed, and by which we are redeemed — not human blood, but
a divine and mystic thing. Fifthly, the “just man” is the
alchymist, who, having found the real “stone,” becomes
immortal. “ To die is simply the falling asunder and dis-
integration of the mechanism of the senses,” which, by
contraction, have formed the prison of the soul. From the
bars of the prison windows, through the eyes, the suffering,
languishing spirit looks for the releaser — death. Those who
have passed from death to life are the “ Fratres Crucis
Rosese,” who know all things, are able for all things, and
have that same mind in them which was in Christ Jesus.
In the sixth place, creation is not the production of some-
thing out of nothing. Matter, which the wise call darkness,
may properly be called “ nothing.” Thus God is said to
make something out of nothing, meaning that he worked
with material from darkness, “ the blank side, or the other

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

147

side of light, turned away.” Moses, when he described the
creation of the world, referred to a divine alchemy. 1

In the year 1633, Fludd published his “ Clavis Philoso-
phic et Alchymic Fluddanae ” — his final answer to
Mersenne, Lanovius, and Gassendi. On the title is the
print from the same block which is found on the “Snmmnm
Bonum,” the bees and rose, with the motto, “ Dat Rosa Mel
Apibus.” The motto on the title-page is “ Super Omnia
Vincet Veritas.” The treatise (in folio) extends to 87 pages.
It is divided into four parts or members. The first three
deal with Mersenne, Lanovius, and Gassendi respectively.
The fourth member is divided into two portions, the first of
these into six subsidiary parts. The second division, again,
treats of the divine and mystic alchemy by which God
operates through His divine word in the macrocosm and
microcosm. A note by the printer to the reader follows, in
which reference is again made to the charge of caco-magism
in connection with the weapon salve.

Fludd takes up the texts of his three opponents piece
by piece, answering each. The charges have been already
referred to. After answering them, Fludd declares how
God by His word or wisdom, the corner stone, and Christ
by the divine alchemy, made or built the world or macro-
cosm, and in that world settled all things in proper form.
First of all he explains what he meant by this divine
alchemy. It is the purification of nature, the separation
of the true from the gross, by a method of purgation.
Others, indeed, teach that it is by a transformation, not by
a separation, that the divine change was made. Alchemy
is the division of the pure and true from the impure and
false, clear light from darkness, sin and vice from goodness
and virtue. Thus are the true gold and silver separated
from the vile things of this world. Alchemy is a part of
natural philosophy. The human body, in its sickness and
ignorance, is well typified by metal in its crude state. All
art is the “simia,” the ape or imitation of nature. The
1 See Jennings’ Rosicrucians, 2nd ed., 337-342.

148

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

labour of the alchemist is a type of the work of the divine
spirit. The effect of the sun and the force of the winds in
like manner typify spiritual grace and motion. In the next
chapter, Fludd shows how the operation alchemical has
been going on in the laboratory of nature since the very
beginning. All labour and alteration is wrought by the
word and wisdom of God — the precious stone, which is
Christ. A long series of passages from holy scripture are
given. “ I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried
stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.” This is
Christ. Wisdom is the breath of the power of God, and a
pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty.
Here, therefore, Fludd exclaims, “ is the true theo-
philosophic stone, by means of which all animal, vegetable,
and mineral existence is blessed and multiplied. Amongst
the rest, man, super-excellent, in whose soul is the fixed
gold, and by the stone divine he is exalted, purified, and
raised to eternal life.” Thus does the mystic alchemy
penetrate and work in the macrocosm to the perfection of
its fabric. “ The words of the Lord are pure words, as
silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” The
spirit is the divine and supernatural agent. It is that
agent which, quick and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, pierced even to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow. The waters
were divided, those above pure, and those below heavier,
and this, S. Peter says, was done by the word of God. The
chemistry of nature shows that the tabernacle of the divine
spirit is in the sun. His word runneth very swiftly. He
giveth snow like wool, ice like morsels. Again, He sendeth
forth His wind and melteth them, and the waters flow.
Thus is the divine alchemy seen. It is secret, indeed, but
real. The brethren of the Rosy Cross, therefore, mean
something very different from what Mersenne, Lanovius^
and Gassendi would suggest. Not the gold sought after by
the vulgar herd, or such silver, nor the common fire, are
meant by them. By progress in virtue, by sublimation, by

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

149

tears, by the inhaling of the divine breath of God, thus will
the soul be sublimated, rendered subtile, able clearly to
contemplate God, be conformed to a likeness with the
angels ; thus apparently dead, lifeless stones become living
and philosophic stones. Such are the opinion and methods
of the brethren ; such is the alchemy and process referred
to in their confession. Why, then, are the Rosicrucians
persecuted by the world ? Because wisdom is, according to
her name, to the unlearned unpleasant. She is not manifest
to many, and is rather like a heavy stone pressing down
the ignorant. After referring to some other objections by
Mersenne, Fludd concludes : — “ Quare nec odio, nec malevo-
lentia, in te commoveor, set potius fraterna pietate com-
pulsus men tern tibi saniorem in corpore sano ex corde
precor.”

Fludd had got hold of a great truth when he spoke of
the formation of the world as taking place through the
evolutions in a great laboratory. The idea that all created
things had been called into existence by a sudden fiat of
the Eternal, and that all things exist now as they then
were called into sudden and perfect existence, is now ex-
ploded. The researches of the chemists (who succeeded the
older alchemists) into the secrets of nature, prove the
certainty of this view. Labouring under great difficulties
and misrepresentations, we can now see that Fludd had
attained a point in knowledge higher than his opponents.
The earth had developed. This, indeed, was wrought by
the Divine Word in the divine wisdom. The Corner Stone,
Christ, ivas the true Philosopher’s Stone, and had its effect
in both macrocosm and microcosm.

The discussion between Fludd and Kepler was of
another nature. Kepler’s “ Harmonices Mundi, Lib. V.,”
was issued in 1619, and in it he attacked Fludd’s system of
natural philosophy as displayed in the “ Historia Utriusque
Cosmi.” Twenty-six passages are taken up and criticised
by Fludd in his “ Veritatis Proscenium seu Demonstrate
Analytica,” issued in 1621. At the end of this treatise,

150

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

which extends to fifty-four pages, Fludd gives an epitome
of his physical harmony of the universe, and adds a com-
parative harmony of his “ Mundana ” with that of Kepler,
wherein they agree and wherein they differ. The treatise
was answered by Kepler, and he again re-answered by
Fludd in his “ Monochordum Mundi Symphoniacum,”
issued from Frankfort in 1623. The “ Monochordum ” is
issued as part of the “ Anatomke Amphithreatrum,” and
shares its pagination, 238-331. Prefixed is an address to
Kepler, “the most famous and the most excellent.” The
great discovery by Kepler was, of course, the fact that “ the
orbit of a planet is not a circle but an ellipse, the sun being
in one of the foci, and the areas swept over by a line drawn
from the planet to the sun are proportional to the times.
These constitute what are now known as the first and
second laws of Kepler. Eight years subsequently he was
rewarded by the discovery of a third law, defining the
relation between the mean distances of the planets from the
sun and the times of their revolutions ; ‘ the squares of the
periodic times are proportional to the cubes of the dis-
tances.’ This he revealed in his ‘ Epitome of the
Coper nican System,’ published in 1618.” 1

In some respects the minds of Kepler and Fludd were
cast in the same mould. " Kepler had a particular passion
for finding analogies and harmonies in nature, after the
manner of the Pythagoreans and Platonists; and to this
disposition we owe such valuable discoveries as are more
than sufficient to excuse his conceits.” 2 He adopted, of
course, the heliocentric theory. On the other hand, Fludd
seems to have had a deeper impression of the nearness of
the Divine Architect in “ nature’s marvels.” This led him
to fail to realise the vastness of the universe, and the extra-
ordinary discoveries which were then being made in the
science of astronomy. Fludd’s mind was essentially
theological and devout. Every act in nature and in life

1 Draper, Conflict of Religion and Science, pp. 230-1.

2 Chalmers’ Biog. Die., xix. 334.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

151

was to him the result of divine and immediate law, ad-
ministered by multitudes of existences. He denied the
diurnal revolutions of the earth, and “ considers the light of
the stars to be derived from the one ‘ heavenly candle ’ of
the sun.” Fludd’s idea is that God works directly ; that
He is “ all in all.” By " Ethnick Philosophy ” he “ means
that God only works in the world by second causes, which
. at last he declares to have been the doctrine of Aristotle
and his followers, but not that of Plato, Empedocles, and
Heraclitus.” 1

It has been well said that “ it was music and philosophy
which really interested Kepler, rather than the patient and
careful observation of nature, which occupied his friend
T} r cho.” 2 Fludd gives various diagrams displaying his
ideas of the cosmic harmony. The ancient Greeks held
“ that the planets, in their revolutions round the earth,
uttered certain sounds, differing according to their respective
‘ magnitude, celerity, and local distance.’ Thus Saturn, the
farthest planet, was said to give the gravest note ; while
the moon, which is the nearest, gave the sharpest. ‘ These
sounds of the seven planets, and the sphere of the fixed
stars, together with that above us, are the nine muses, and
their joint symphony is called Mnemosyne.’ Pliny (Book
iii., c. 22) says — ■ Saturn moveth by the Doric tone, Mercury
by Pthongus, Jupiter by Phrygian, and the rest likewise.’
The Pythagorean harmony consisted of three concords,
called Diapente, Diatessaron, and Diapason.” 3 With some
modifications, this appears to have been the opinion of
Fludd. Kepler, again, was more occupied in proving that
“ the universe was composed by the five regular solids.” 4
But his rule did not properly apply to the proportions of
the cosmos. The relative proportions of the circles, he
imagines, “ have no agreement with the orbits of the
planets whose names they bear, but every circle, either in

its diameter or circumference, represents a cosmic measure.” 5

1 Hunt’s Essay on Pantheism, 241.

2 Canon of all Arts, 266. 3 Canon of all Arts, 260.

4 Canon of all Arts, 264. 3 Canon of all Arts, 265.

152 DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Fludd agreed with the poet who says^

There’s not the smallest orb that thou behold’st,

But in his motion like an angel sings,

Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubims :

Such harmony is in immortal souls ;

But, whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.”

Music, as we know and enjoy it, is but the dim refrain of
that sacred harmony which moves all things, and which is
itself but the outer voice of the eternal hymn sung before
the throne of God.

Hie aucem tnonochordum mundanum cum fins proportionibus , confc
aantus &: mtcrvaliis cxa&uiscompofmmus, cujusmocorem cxcramundani cfTc
hocmododepinximus. jtsx&s&K \ J,

CHAPTER XVI.

THE " PHILOSOPHIA SACRA,” AND “ PHILOSOPHIA MOYSAICA.”

1626 — The “Philosophia Sacra,” Title — and Chart — Portrait of Fludd —
Description — Dedicated to Bishop Williams — The “ Prcemium ” —
Christ the Centre of True Philosophy — Moses — Pan — Chart,
“ Catoptron ” — Description — “ Meteors ” — What ? — Angelic ex-
istences — Four Archangels’ power over Four Winds — “ Philosophia
Moysaica,” 1638 — Latin and English Editions — Contains Fludd’s
Matured Opinions on Religion and Philosophy — Has same spirit of
warm devotion — but less learned than the “ Historia ” — The
opinions of four Authors on Fludd’s System and Works — Jennings
— Waite — Hunt — Gordon.

T^LTJDD’S “ Philosophia sacra et vere Christiana seu
1 Meteorologia Cosmica,” a folio of fully 300 pages, with
charts and illustrations, was issued, “ Francofurti prostat
in Officina Bryana, 1626.” The title-page is handsomely
engraved. At the top are three scenes — the burning of the
cities of the plain, the deluge, a ship being driven, fire, rain,
wind. On one side of the title is the figure of S. Michael,
the sun in full splendour forming his head, transfixing the
dragon with a spear, the top of which is a cross. On the
other side appears what seems to be the revelation of S.
Gabriel to Daniel ; below S. Michael is a smaller picture
representing an earthquake ; in the other corner is a scene
in pastoral life — a palm tree in one corner, birds flying
across the space. The angels of the four winds occupy the
corners of the spaces. At the foot, below the title, a naked
man lies on the ground; above, a circle in which are certain
interior parts of a human body. The chart is explained at
p. 52. A second title follows : — " Aer Area Dei Thesauraria
seu Perspicuum Sanitatis et Morborum Speculum.” A

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

155

beautiful portrait of Fludd occupies the other side of the
leaf. It is very pleasing. Fludd is represented with his
right hand over his breast, the left resting upon a book
placed on a table. In the upper part of the curtain on the
left side is seen an effulgence or sun, in the rays of which
are the words, “ Si tu illustres lucernam meam, Iehova Deus
Splendentes efficies tenebras meas. — Ps. 18, 29.” On the
other part is Fludd’s heraldic achievement, the same as that
on his monument. Above it, “ In lumine tuo Videbimus
lumen.” The face has an appearance of deep earnestness
and reverence, with a touch of sadness. The eyes are large
and soft, the beard pointed and trimmed closely. Below
are the following lines : —

“ Quem genus et virtus ornant, quem prisca parentum
Gloria, cui patriam terra Britanna dedit :

Cui sedet incoctum generoso pectus honesto,

Candor et integritas ambitione carens
Omnia cui Natura parens secreta reclusit

Quidquid et harmonici cosmus uterque tenet
Pseonige Robertus hie est De Fluctibus artis
Fama, Machonii signifer ille Chori.

Vidimus ingenii vires mentisque recessus
Ista viri faciem picta tabella refert.

Oceani Venerem perhibent 6 fluctibus ortam
Hie Venus et gra vitas mixta decore nitent.

Honori Virtutique ejus P.

I. Ludovicus, Gotofridus. A.”

The portrait bears the signature, “ Mathseus Merian
Basilien: fecit.”

The work is dedicated to Williams, then Bishop of
Lincoln, Keeper of the Great Seal, afterwards Archbishop
of York, a well-known ecclesiastical politician in the reign
of Charles I. Fludd addressed Williams as most prudent
Councillor, and stating that he himself, like Williams, being
of Cambrian origin, he desires to dedicate the work to him.
He refers to his gifts to the University of Cambridge, to
his prudence, to his equable mind, to his interest in books
and libraries, to his services at Westminster. Fludd signs
himself “ "Rob. Fludd, Prosapire suse origine Cambro-
Britannus.”

As the “ De Anatomise triplici ” is “ portio tertia ” of the

156

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

second section of the “ Historia,” so the “ Meteorologia
Cosmica” is Portion IV., Part 1. The author, as usual,
commences with a “ Proemium.” In it he is to demolish
the tottering basis of the Ethnick Philosophy, and the
palpable errors of Ethnick sectaries, who have defaced
true Christian doctrine. These are the persons who, having
repudiated the teaching of the true theosophical doctors,
have taken refuge in vain Ethnick doctrine. This is
shown by their differing from S. Paul, “ de meteororum
essentia.” With that Apostle, Fludd denounces vain
philosophy. The true has its central light in Christ, “ Dei
Verbum.” Ignorance of the operation of the Holy Spirit of
God in nature, ignorance of Holy Scripture as the fount
and original of all sciences, has led to the origin of idolatry
— the worship of the sun, moon, and stars, of Isis and
Osiris, and infinite other errors. On the other hand, Sacred
Philosophy is to be found in the Arcane teaching of the
sacred letters. The relation of the Divine Son to the Divine
Father, in making all things, shows him to be “ Dei virtus
et sapientia.” Fludd then shadows forth his great idea
that all divine knowledge in regard to nature and its
hidden workings was revealed and known to Moses, “ who
was also learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians.” Any-
thing true in the Ethnicks is from this source, and these
ancient writers are to be judged just as they agree or
differ from the great Hebrew sage. True physical prin-
ciples are either simple or mixed ; the former, substantial,
including light, darkness, water, earth, the humid sphere,
fire, heat, cold, dryness ; the latter, mixed vapours, exhala-
tions of a fiery, aqueous, or mixed sort. Fludd refers his
readers to his “ Historia Microcosmi ” in regard to his views
of Mosaic principles. These, all Christians must follow in
reverence. The beginning was in the separation of light
from darkness, including the unformed mass of aqueous
substance lying still there inert, but quickened by the word
of God. The true meaning of “ Pan ” is explained, being
“ universal nature ” rising to birth from the deformity of

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

157

chaos. Towards the end of the treatise are several spaces
left for plates, apparently not filled up. Perhaps the most
interesting thing in the treatise is the large and curious
chart following p. 140. It is entitled, “ Catoptrum Meteoro-
graphicum.” Below the title are the words, “ Ensoph seu
divinitatis intinitudo.” In the centre, under this, is the
divine name in Hebrew letters on a glory encircled and
double-rayed. From this an angel is flying, connecting the
glory with a full -rayed sun, and the words, “ Michael
custos Tiphereth.” On either side of the “ glory ” are
niches with figures of the heavenly existences — Seraphim,
Cherubim, &c., with their appropriate spheres and signs.
The names of God are placed above — Ehieh, Jah, Elohim,
El, Elohim-Gibor, Eloah, Jehova-Sabaoth, Elohim-Sabaoth,
Sadai, Adonai. The last niche contains a figure of Gabriel,
and is marked beneath, “ elementa.” Beneath these divine
existences is a half-sphere filled with emblematic figures.
Under the rays of the sun are “Aurora” — a fine pointed
star, and “Rosa” — a face surrounded by a rim of rose
petals. Illustrations of clouds, sunbeams, the rainbow,
lightning, drops of blood, stones falling, hail, frost, rain, the
winds, lunar-halo, vapour, dew, &c. At the bottom of the
whole is a naked human figure lying on the ground, the
head resting on the root of a tree. This legend issued from
the mouth : — “ Homo est perfectio et finis omnium creatur-
arum in mundo.”

. The second part of the fourth portion treats “ De causa
Meteororum Efficiente.” This is either supernatural or
natural, ordinary, good or bad, heavenly or elementary.
The virtue of the sun is light, motion, heat. The sun
gives light to the stars, a theory curiously illustrated by a
diagram, page 189. This seems to show that Fludd still
held to the geocentric theory, the earth being represented
as the centre of the universe. The author then treats of
the angelic existences, their various names as given by
Cabalistic philosophers. The question whether angels or
daemons were incorporeal, or if they had bodies of thinner

158

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

or grosser air, is next discussed. This subject and the nine
orders have been already treated of in the “ Historia.”
Fludd’s idea seems to have been that the different planets
were occupied by inferior sorts of angels or good daemons,
whom he calls “ Lunares,” “ Joviales,” “ Mercuriales,” even
“ Solares.” These latter must indeed be of the salamandrine
nature. To each Zodiacal sign is attached a guardian —
Malchidael, Aries ; Asmodel, Taurus ; Ambriel, Gemini, &c.

The four archangels guard the cardinal points, and
have power over the four winds. Seraphim have power
over fire ; Cherubim over air ; “ Tharsis ” over water ;
Ariel over earth. Angels also rule the seventy divisions of
the earth. The evil angels are also fully described in their
powers and offices. A very curious illustrative chart is
given at page 267. It represents the operations of the
four archangels at the four cardinal points. Here, again,
the “ round world ” is the centre of all. The “ Philosophia
Sacra ” concludes with a series of experiments in natural
science.

A considerable interval elapsed before the concluding
work of Fludd was published. This is the “ Philosophia
Moysaica.” It was issued at Gouda in 1638, the year
after Fludd’s death. It had been fully prepared by him for
the press, and it would appear that the English version,
printed at London “ for Humphrey Moseley, at the Prince’s
Arms, in St. Paul’s Churchyard, 1659,” was translated by
the author. This was issued in two sections, the latter
having a subsidiary title-page. The emblem on the first
part of the English edition is the device and motto, “ Ich
Dien,” referring to “ The Prince’s Arms ” ; the device on
the second is threefold — the crowned thistle, the crowned
rose, and the crowned harp. The Latin edition has also an
emblematic frontispiece, which in some copies is inserted as
a plate between the half-title and the title. The Latin
edition of the “ Philosophia Moysaica ” has a title different
from that of the English. The motto is Colossi ans i. 15,
16, “ Christ is the image of the invisible God, the first-born

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

159

of every creature,” &c. The plate on the title consists of
a series of four greater and lesser circles, with two half-
circles beneath. They are all shaded. The plate is also
prefixed again to the title and explained. The half circles
— the one plate is labelled “Dionysius,” a man walking
in darkness ; the other, “ Apollo,” a nimbused figure lifting
up a naked man by his hands — irradiated. The whole is
to represent the divine power and method in dispelling
the darkness of chaos. The whole work is clearly printed
in double columns.

This work, it is to be supposed, contained FIudcTs
matured opinions on religion and philosophy, and was
intended by him for more a popular use than most of his
other treatises would serve. But it is certainly neither so
able, so learned, nor so full as the “ Historia,” but it
breathes the same warm spirit of personal devotion, so
remarkably displayed in his “ Tractatus Theologo-Philo-
sophicus.” The work is Fludd’s last legacy, the gift falling
from his dying hands.

Before examining more minutely the “ Mosaicall Philo-
sophy,” it may not be out of place to set down here the gist
of the whole of Fludd’s labours as abbreviated by the four
authors who appear to have been most conversant with his
works.

Mr Hargrave Jennings says : —

“ The Rosicrucians, through the revelations concerning them of their
celebrated English representative, Robertus de Fluctibus, or Robert
Fludd, declare, in accordance with the Mosaic account of creation, — which,
they maintain, is in no instance to be taken literally, but metaphorically,
— that two original principles, in the beginning, proceeded from the
Divine Father. These are Light and Darkness, — or form or idea, and
matter or plasticity. Matter, downwards, becomes fivefold, as it works in
its forms, according to the various operations of the first informing light ; it
extends four-square, according to the points of the celestial compass, with the
divine creative effluence in the centre. The worlds spiritual and temporal,
being rendered subject to the operation of the original Type or Idea,
became, in their Imitation of this Invisible Ideal, first intelligible, and
then endowed with reciprocal meaning outwards from themselves. This
produced the being (or thought) to whom, or to which, creation was
disclosed. This is properly the ‘ Son,’ or Second Ineffable Person of the
Divine Trinity. Thus that which we understand as a £ human mind,’
became a possibility. This second great, only intelligible world, the
Rosicrucians call ‘ Macrocosmos.’ They distribute it as into three

160

DOCTOR ROBERT 1LUDD.

regions or spheres ; which, as they lie near to, or dilate the farthest from,
the earliest-opening divine * Brightness,’ they denominate the Empyrteum,
the iEtherfeum, and the Elementary Region, each filled and determinate
and forceful with less and less of the First Celestial Fire. These regions
contain innumerable invisible nations, or angels, of a nature appropriate to
each. Through these immortal regions, Light, diffusing in the emanations
of the cabalistic Sephiroth, becomes the blackness, sediment, or ashes, which
is the second fiery, real world. This power, or vigour, uniting with the
Ethereal Spirit, constitutes strictly the ‘ Soul of the World.’ It becomes
the only means of the earthly intelligence, or man, knowing it. It is the
Angel-Conqueror, Guide, Saviour born of ‘ Woman,’ or ‘Great Deep,’ the
Gnostic Sophia, the ‘ Word made flesh’ of St. John. The Empyrseum is
properly the flower, or glory (effluent in its abundance), of the divine
Latent Fire. It is penetrated with miracle and holy magic. The Rosi-
crucian system teaches that there are three ascending hierarchies of
beneficent Angels (the purer portion of the First Fire, or Light) divided
into nine orders. These threefold angelic hierarchies are the Teraphim, the
Seraphim, and the Cherubim. This religion, which is the religion of the
Parsees, teaches that, on the Dark Side, there are also three counterbalanc-
ing resultant divisions of operative intelligences, divided again into nine
spheres, or inimical regions, populated with splendidly endowed adverse
angels, who boast still the relics of their lost, or eclipsed, or changed*
light. The elementary world, or lowest world, in which man and his
belongings, and the lower creatures, are produced, is the flux, subsidence,
residuum, ashes, or deposit, of the Ethereal Fire. Man is the microcosm,
or ‘ indescribably small copy,’ of the whole great world. Dilatation and
compression, expansion and contraction, magnetic sympathy, gravitation-to,
or flight-from, is the bond which holds all imaginable things together.
The connection is intimate between the higher and the lower, because all
is a perpetual aspiration, or continuous descent : one long, immortal chain*
whose sequence is never-ending, reaches by impact with that immediately
above, and by contact with that immediately below, from the very lowest
to the very highest. * So true is it that God loves to retire into His
clouded Throne ; and, thickening the Darkness that encompasses His
most awful Majesty, He inhabits an Inaccessible Light, and lets none
into His Truths but the poor in spirit.’ The Rosicrucians contended
that these so * poor in spirit ’ meant themselves, and implied their submis-
sion and abasement before God.

“The Rosicrucians held that, all things visible and invisible having
been produced by the contention of light with darkness, the earth has
denseness in its innumerable heavy concomitants downwards, and they
contain less and less of the original divine light as they thicken and
solidify the grosser and heavier in matter. They taught, nevertheless, that
every object, however stifled or delayed in its operation, and darkened and
thickened in the solid blackness at the base, yet contains a certain possible
deposit, or jewel, of light, — which light, although by natural process it
may take ages to evolve, as light will tend at last by its own native, irre-
sistible force upward (when it has opportunity), can be liberated ; that
dead matter will yield this spirit in a space more or less expeditious by the
art of the alchemist. There are worlds within worlds, — we, human
organisms, only living in a deceiving, or Bhuddistic, ‘dream-like phase’
of the grand panorama. Unseen and unsuspected (because in it lies magic),
there is an inner magnetism, or divine aura , or ethereal spirit, or possible
eager fire, shut and confined, as in a prison, in the body, or in all sensible
solid objects, which have more or less of spiritually sensitive life as they
can more successfully free themselves from this ponderable, material
obstruction. Thus all minerals, in this spark of light, have the rudimentary
possibility of plants and growing organisms ; thus all plants haA^e rudi-
mentary sensitives, which might (in the ages) enable them to perfect and

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

161

transmute into locomotive new creatures, lesser or higher in their grade, or
nobler or meaner in their functions ; thus all plants and all vegetation
might pass off (by side-roads) into more distinguished highways, as it
were, of independent, completer advance, allowing their original spark of
light to expand and thrill with higher and more vivid force, and to urge
forward with more abounding, informed purpose — all wrought by planetary
influence, directed by the unseen spirits (or workers) of the Great Original
Architect, building His microcosmos of a world from the plans and powers
evoked in the macrocosm , or heaven of first forms, which, in their multi-
tude and magnificence, are as changeable shadows cast off from the
Central Immortal First Light, whose rays dart from the centre to the
extremest point of the universal circumference. It is with terrestrial fire
that the alchemist breaks or sunders the material darkness or atomic
thickness, all visible nature yielding to his furnaces, whose scattering heat
(without its sparks) breaks all doors of this world’s kind. It is with
immaterial fire (or ghostly fire) that the Rosicrucian loosens contraction
and error, and conquers the false knowledge and the deceiving senses
which bind the human soul as in its prison. On this side of his powers, on
this dark side (to the world) of his character, the alchemist (rather now
become the Rosicrucian) works in invisible light, and is a magician. He
lays the bridge (as the Pontifex, or Bridge-Maker) between the world
possible and the world impossible ; and across this bridge, in his Immortal
Heroism and Newness, he leads the votary out of his dream of life into his
dream of temporary death, or into extinction of the senses and of the
powers of the senses ; which world’s blindness is the only true and
veritable life, the envelope of flesh falling metaphorically off the now
liberated glorious entity — taken up, in charms, by the invisible fire into
rhapsody, which is as the gate of heaven.” (“ The Rosicrucians,” 2nd ed.,
p. 188-191.)

Mr A. E. Waite says : —

“ Fludd distinguishes in several places between the Divine sophia,
the eternal sapience, the heavenly wisdom, which is only mystically
revealed to mankind, and the wisdom which is derived from the invention
and tradition of men. He declares the philosophy of the Grecians, or the
ethnick philosophy, to be based only on the second, and to be terrene,
animal, and diabolical, not being founded on the deific corner-stone,
namely, Jesus Christ, who is the essential substance and foundation of the
true science.

“ The original fountain of true wisdom is in God, the natura naturans ,
the infinite, illimitable Spirit, beyond all imagination, transcending all
essence, without name, all- wise, all-clement, the Father, the Word, and
the ineffable, Holy Spirit, the highest and only good, the indivisible
Trinity, the most splendid and indescribable light. This Wisdom is the
vapor virtutis Dei , and the stainless mirror of the majesty and beneficence
of God. All things, of what nature and condition soever, were made in,
by, and through this Divine Word or emanation, which is God Himself, as
it is the Divine Act, whose root is the Logos, that is, Christ. This Eternal
Wisdom is the fountain or corner-stone of the higher arts, by which also
all mysterious and miraculous discoveries are effected and brought to light.

“Before the spagirical separation which the Word of God, or divine
Elohim, effected in the six days of creation, the heavens and earth were
one deformed, rude, undigested mass, complicitly comprehended in one
dark abyss, but explicitly as yet nothing. This nothing is compared by
St. Augustine to speech, which while it is in the speaker’s mind is as
nothing to the hearer, but when uttered, that which existed complicitly in
animo loquentis, is explicitly apprehended by the hearer. This nihilnm or
nothing is not a nihilum negativum. It is the First Matter, the infinite

162

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

informal, primordial Ens, the mysterium magnum of the Paracelsista. It
existed eternally in God. If God had not produced all things essentially
out of Himself, they could not be rightly referred tp Him. The primeval
darkness is the potentia divina as light is the actus divinus — the Aleph
tenebrosum and Aleph lucidum. Void of form and life, it is still a material
developing from potentiality into the actual, and was informed by the
Maker of the world with a universal essence, which is the Light of Mosea,
and was first evolved in the empyrean heaven, the highest and supernatural
region of the world, the habitaculum fontis lucidi, the region not of matter
but of form — form simple and spiritual beyond all imagination. There is
a second spiritual heaven, participating in the clarity and tenuity of the
first, of which it is the base ; this is the medial heaven, called the spheera
cequalitatis , and it is corporeal in respect of the former. The third heaven
is the locality of the four elements. The progression of the primordial
light through the three celestial spaces was accomplished during the first
three days of creation. Christ the Wisdom and Word of God, by His
apparition out of darkness, that is, by the mutation of the first principle
from dark Aleph to light Aleph, revealed the waters contained in the
profound bosom of the abyss, and animated them by the emanation of the
spirit of eternal fire, and then by his admirable activity distinguished and
separated the darkness from the light, the obscure and gross waters from
the subtle and pure waters, disposing the heavens and spheres, as above
stated, and dividing the grosser waters into sublunary elements. These
elements are described as follows : — Earth is the conglomeration of the
material darkness and the refuse of the heavens ; Water is the more gross
spirit of the darkness of the inferior heaven, nearly devoid of light ; Air is
the spirit of the second heaven ; Fire, the spirit of the darkness of the
Empyrean heaven.

“ Fludd’s theory of the Macrocosmus is enunciated in the following
manner : —

DE MACROCOSMI PRINCIPIIS.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

163

C CD
a; r*

fi ~

G 00

|o H

r->

G 03 g 2d
S g 03

^ s § §

Q o 40 ^ ^ w

O g 2 X <D

^ rO cj o

(D d ^ £ d

H 03^5 Phc+h

■ * 3 >

• co

CO <X> O'

!—< I— | T-H

c<3 -O N
£ ce

•g P '2
«3 . s ,
> ’

S -C :

^'■c p/;

2 <D — I i
G-c <D d

zntatn

^ o 40
<D O <D

^ 9 ^ n -P ^

r 1 go P ig

<D ^ £ d C 03

-G o s ^ G

C ^ b ° d ^ G

>»« 0..0 „r-j g

Sj ?> £ >>.« g>® S w

'Tj O 5P ^ ^ i>

— £5 ^ Cu • >—* _ ’7 1 ^

»— I rl • *■-< • f— « 40 • r— ( r . L>

O k. <—< CO 40 CD cl »fh j ■ r-i

a> H <y

O^^.S °-»

■S rK '© _. -g
Sv m'u ^ a

O - -G »-H

G ^ M c3

ft- o

D g ^

u fto

CO
<D

sL <w

T3 -

<D h-h
4 J O p^»

«3;g.S
2 £ ®
0 .2

fc.S

c> 00

K §T§ J§
O ’g .2 40

.e^g-g

f-i

^ G
b
O

. £X)

p£3

CD
f I
,40

*-l

S'o «

X ° „ bJO

4J> O r-T

•rH G 5

L ^ Sh

£ o-o o S

G u-w 0 ^ 40

d . 45 p ©.S

co h fG x

I S 43 ®

•3 ®

CO <U S 0-7? 55

D > ^ ° S

O •«-< <D *“d ’G <D

d b Dd G "r; dg

G G 40 b ^ 40

164

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

h-l

things concur, ( others.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

165

“ According bo Fludd’s philosophy, tho whole universe was fashioned
after the pattern of an archetypal world which existed in the Divine
ideality, and was framed out of unity in a threefold manner. The Eternal
Monad or Unity, without any egression from his own central profundity,
compasses complicitly the three cosmical dimensions, namely, root, square,
and cube. If we multiply unity as a root, in itself, it will produce only
unity for its square, which being again multiplied in itself, brings forth a
cube which is one with root and square. Thus we have three branches
differing in formal progression, yet one unity in which all things remain
potentially, and that after a most abstruse manner. The archetypal world
was made by the egression of one out of one, and by the regression of that
one, so emitted, into itself by emanation. According to this ideal image,
or archetypal world, our universe was subsequently fashioned as a true
type and exemplar of the Divine Pattern ; for out of unity in his abstract
existence, viz., as it was hidden in the dark chaos, or potential mass, the
bright flame of all formal being did shine forth, and the Spirit of Wisdom,
proceeding from them both, conjoined the formal emanation with the
potential matter, so that by the union of the divine emanation of light and
the substantial darkness, which was water, the heavens were made of old,
and the whole world.

“God, according to these abstruse speculations, is that pure, catholic
unity which includes and comprehends all multiplicity, and which before
the objective projection of the cosmos must be considered as a transcendent
entity, reserved only in itself, in whose divine puissance, as in a place
without end or limit, all things which are now explicitly apparent were
then complicitly contained, though in regard to our finite faculties it can
only be conceived as nothing — nihil, non Jinis , non ens , aleph tenebrosum,
the Absolute Monad or Unity.

“ Joined to the cosmical philosophy of Robert Fludd, there is an
elaborate system of spiritual evolution, and the foundation of both is to be
sought in the gigantic hypotheses of the Kabbalah. His angelology is
derived from the works of pseudo-Dionysius on the celestial hierarchies,
and he teaches the doctrine of the pre-existence of human souls, which are
derived from the vivifying emanation dwelling in the Anima Mundi, the
world’s spiritual vehicle, the catholic soul, which itself is inacted and
preserved by the Catholic and Eternal Spirit, sent out from the fountain of
life to inact and vivify all things.

“ These mystical speculations, whatever their ultimate value, are
sublime flights of an exalted imagination, but they are found, in the
writings of Robert Fludd, side by side with the crudest physical theories,
and the most exploded astronomical notions. He denies the diurnal
revolution of the earth, and considers the light of all the stars to be
derived from the one ‘ heavenly candle ’ of the sun. Rejecting the
natural if inadequate explanations of Aristotle and his successors, he
presents the most extravagant definitions of the nature of winds,
clouds, snow, &c. The last is described as a meteor which God draweth
forth of His hidden treasury in the form of wool, or as a creature produced
out of the air by the cold breath of the Divine Spirit to perform his will on
earth. Thunder is a noise which is made in the cloudy tent or pavilion of
Jehovah, lightning a certain fiery air or spirit animated by the brightness
and burning from the face or presence of Jehovah. Literally interpreting
the poetic imagery of Scripture, he perceives the direct interference of the
Deity in all the phenomena of Nature, and denounces more rational view r s
as ‘terrene, animal, and diabolical.’ ” (“The Real History of the Rosi-
crucians,” pp. 300-7.)

The Rev. J. Hunt, D.D., says : —

“ Many persons who did not form distinct sects. Among these we may

DOCTOR ROBERT ELUDD.

iiiclude the ,-Rosicrucians, whose '■ doctrines were expounded by Robert
Fludd,- Doctor' of .Medicine. < Iii his ‘ Mosaical Philosophy,’ Fludd enters
upon a longi argument. to prove that the Bible explains the philosophy of
tfic universe. This philoso'phy is properly theology, and therefore to be
4istingui,shcd from that philosophy which begins from a knowledge of the
material, world.. In. pther words, theology is a priori, and philosophy
a. posteriori. They meet finally, and bear to each other a mutual testi-
mony. But without the Scriptures, which are inspired by God, and are
to us, so to speak, the finger oi God, we should never penetrate into the.
centre and essence of being. . The, old poetical image fouhd in Plato is
received as probably true, that nature is a chain, the highest and last link
of which is fastened to the foot of Jupiter’s throne in heaven, while the-
lowest, is. fixed on earth. If such is the labyrinth of being, how could we,
whose souls tabernacle in clay, penetrate to the resplendent essence of that
Being whose centre is everywhere, His circumference nowhere. It is only >
because God has revealed Himself that we can explain the mysteries of the
Creator or the creature.

“ There is but one universe, and with this universe . God is one ; but
we must speak of God and the world, for they are yet distinct, and
though but one world or universe, we must speak of the world which is •
aerial and which is temporal. The first has neither beginning nor end.
The last has both a beginning and an end. But the aerial or angelical,
which is the dwelling of the angels or blessed spirits, had a beginning, but
will have no end. The angelical world is the intermediary between the
eternal and the temporal. It is imaged by Jacob’s ladder, which unites
earth and heaven. From this eternal ladder angels pass to the temporal.
Then these worlds, being one universe, are, as it were, a wheel within a
wheel. The central mover, or eternal Spirit, is in the aerial. By it the
temporal is quickened, so that, as the Scriptures say, God is. all in all.
This,. Fludd maintains, is the true Christian Philosophy. He is to
demonstrate it not only by the Bible, but by natural reason, and by
ocular demonstration. He. is ‘ to confound .infidelity, and turn men from
Ethnic Philosophy to the wisdom of God.’ It is not easy to understand
the.‘ ocular demonstration,’ which seems to be simply that, as a weather-
glass is full of air, and is rarefied or condensed by the presence or absence
of the sun, so the universe is full of spirit, differently modified in different
places and at different times. God, or Christ, who is the wisdom of God,
is said to fill all. This has been explained by some as filling all virtually,
but . not essentially. To which Fludd answered, that where Christ is
virtually He must be essentially. All the passages of Scripture which are
capable of what we may call a Pantheistic meaning are quoted and
interpreted as teaching the immediate presence of God in all nature.
Spirit is the Catholic element of the universe. It is invoked by the
prophet to come from the four winds, and. vivify the dead bones. It is
the breath which makes frost and snow ; as it is said in Job, when God
bloweth from the north the ice is made. It is God that thundereth, that
rolleth the thick clouds, and maketh the cedars of Libanus to bend. The
philosophy of the Bible is put in opposition to the philosophy- of the
Heathen. By Ethnic philosophy Fludd means the doctrine that <%d onty -
works in the world by second causes, which at last he declares to haVe been •
the doctrine of Aristotle and his followers, but not of Plato, Empedocles,
and Heraclitus.” (“ Religious Thought in England,” i. 240-241.)

in.

In the “ Dictionary of National Biography ” (Bev. AM
Gordon), it is stated : —

“ Fludd takes the position that all natural science is rooted in revela-
tion. He opposes the ethnic ‘ philosophy ’ of Aristotle, and is equally

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

167

opposed to all modern astronomy, for he denies the diurnal revolution of
the earth. Holding with the Neoplatonists that all things were ‘ com-
pletely and ideally in God ’ before they were made, he advances to a
doctrine of the divine immanence which betrays a strong pantheistic
tendency. In the dedication of one of his works (1617), he addresses the
Deity, ‘0 natura naturans, infinita et gloriosa. ’ 1 St. Luke he calls his
‘ physicall and theosophicall patron. ’ ” (Vol. xx., voce, “ Fludd, Robert.”)

1 This expression is also that of Giordano Bruno, who also had a
doctrine of Monads and of the “ Anitna Mundi.” Hunt pronounces “ the
evidence for Bruno’s Pantheism doubtful.' This is the conclusion to which
the most impartial of his biographers and critics have also arrived.”
(Hunt, “ Skeptics of Ital. Renee.,” 312.)

CHAPTER XVII.

THE MOSAICALL PHILOSOPHY.

Essence of all in God from eternity — Rarefaction and Condensation
— Central Divinity — God does not operate of necessity — Meteoro-
logical Impressions — Clouds and Rain — Winds — Peculiar ideas of

Snow — Rivers — Sympathy — Attraction and Coition — Nonulty and
Volunty — The Unity — Hyle or Chaos — All things ideally in God —
Demigorgon — Soul of the World — “ God, form and matter ” —
“ Everything that existeth ” — The Essential Soul — The Ternary
Number — The Cube — Sacred Numbers — World, image of God —
Diastole — Systole — Light and Darkness — Names in the “ Sephoricall
Tree ” — Ten — These comprehend all — Angelical Irridiations —
Occult Radiations — Sympathy or Compassion — Attributes of
Greater and Lesser Soul — Magnetical nature — Heaven, Masculine —
Earth, Feminine — The Loadstone — Its wonderful properties
discovered — The Pole Star and the Loadstone — Devil abuses
natural things — Poisons — Charms — Claudia, 1581 — The Owl —
Corporal Mummy — Four kinds — The Weapon Salve — Conclusion.

English edition of Fludd’s last work consists of 300

pages in small folio. The title runs thus : — “ Mosaicall
Philosophy : Grounded upon the Essentiall Truth or Eternal
Sapience. Written first in Latin, and afterwards thus
renderd into English, by Robert Fludd, Esq., and Doctor of
Physick.” The mottoes are Proverbs ii. 6 ; 1 Corinthians
iii. 19, 20 ; Psalm xciv. 11 ; Colossians ii. 8, 9.

The author, as usual, commences with a note “ To the
Judicious and Discreet Reader.” This occupies four pages,
and signed “ Your Friend, Robert Fludd.”

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

169

After a reference to his “ Physicall and Theophilosophi-
call Patron, St. Luke,” by Fludd, mention is made of Jacob’s
ladder for saints and angels. Its steps and degrees form the
chain of nature, which, in its highest and last link, is
fastened to the foot of Jupiter’s chair in heaven. The
earthly mansion is but the picture of the heavenly palace —
the dwelling-place of the Creator, whose circumference is
nowhere, yet who is the centre of all things. The reader is
then " certified” that the author’s purpose in this book is far
from any presumption to trench upon, or derogate from the
deep and mystical laws of Theology in her pure and simple
essence, or to oppose the current of her argument against
authorised rules and tenets in Divinity, which have been
long since decreed and ordained by the fathers of the
church. All scripture has a twofold meaning, an internal
or spiritual, and an external or literal. The analogy of a
man composed of both body and soul is expressive of what
is here meant. We are to find the Divine Workman by
His external manifestations. The eternal world, being only
replenished with the glorious majesty of God, is the main
foundation on which Theology is grounded ; so the temporal
or lower world, divided into a visible heaven and earth,
with the creatures thereof, is the main platform of the true
philosophy. As for the serial World, which has a beginning
but no end, the receptacle for the angelical spirits and
blessed souls is in position between these two — Eternity
and Temporality. The true philosopher acknowledges his
science to proceed radically from the eternal by his “ iEviall
or Angelicall Spirits unto his temporal Creatures ” — stars,
winds, elements, meteors, and perfect mixed bodies ; “ and
therefore in respect that the Philosophicall subject is
animated by angelicall influences, it must needs pierce with
a mental regard into the eternall light, which doth centrally
vivifie both the iEviall and temporall creatures ; beyond the
which there is nothing to be found or imagined.” This is
the tripartite measure of Jacob’s ladder when he laid his
head upon the stone, which, in its longitude, latitude, and

170

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

profundity, contained' the images or characters of -the three
worlds. Therefore was the place where the stone " rested
called Domus Dei — the Tabernacle of God. Thus the
sacred philosopher perceives “ Rotam in Rota,” and “ Rotam
in Medio Rotarum,” a central mover and eternal spirit -in-
the' iEviall'by which the corporal creature is vivified 'and
agitated, “ whereby we may boldly infer (with the Scrip-
ture) that God is essentially one and all.” The writer
concludes with these axioms of the divine theophilosophists’,
that a, God operafeth in all.” “ He vivifieth all things,- He
filleth all •things.” ' -“ His incorruptible Spirit is in all
things. 1 Christ, is all and in all- things. In Him are all the
treasures -of' wisdom hid-” God speaks through the ele-
ments, in thunder, in the whirlwind; “universal acts and*
virtuous operations are 'effected in the elementary creatures
by that most essential and eternall Wisdom,- which 'is the
main Ground and true Corner-stone, whereon the purest ;
Mdsaicall Philosophy doth rely.” Fludd ends the preface
to this, his last work,* by recommending- “ these mine
endeavours, and finally 'both- them and myself, unto God’s -
blessed protection.' Your '-Friend, Robert Fludd.”

The first section of " the - treatise ( which, : as most con- 1
venient, we will consider' -in it's English translation) extends-
to p. 126, and consists .of four books- Tii the first book,:'
referring to the “ Herculean combat ” between' truth' and-
falsehood — the wisdom- -of God and of the world— die

determines “ to lame and exterminate that foul monster-
Infideldy,” Iby means “ of an Invention and Spiritual
Conclusion coiiimonly termed by the name of the Weather
or Calender Glasse,” that, by the “ ocular- and practical H
experiments thereof,” he might demonstrate the" falsehood ;
of the “fading wisdom or philosophy of the Ethnics,” and
confirm the truth of the wisdom (C grounded . upon the
eternall spirit of Sapience.”

As the Ethnic philosophers have assuined to themselves •
the principles of the Mosaic ■ philosophy, walking and
gilding over their theft, so* with the Weather glass, moderns

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

171

have taken to themselves the invention, by the author
described as “ graphically specified and geometrically de-
lineated 1 in a manuscript of five hundred years integrity
a't the least.”

Several illustrations are given of this threefold instru-
ment and its effects. The water rises or falls in the glass
by the increase or diminution of the sun’s heat. Between
this little instrument and the great world a comparison is -
to be made. The temper of the air " in the great world is
‘thus’ exactly discovered unto us.” The instrument lias'
“ Two Tropicks, with their Poles ” ; the neck of the glass
“ doth correspond exactly unto the place of the Equator.” 1
He refers for farther demonstration to his “ Med. Cath. 26.”
The demonstration is made by drawing two imaginary
triangles, which, meeting in the centre, form the “ Linea
Equinoctialis.”

In the second book, the author first of all discovers the
meaning of the word “ Philosophy.” It means more than '
“ wisdom ” ; rather, “ amor sapientise ” — the lover or friend
of wisdom. We may describe it as “ an earnest study of
wisdome.” The divine wisdom is not to be known to all —
only “ opened unto the saints and elect.” Being in Christ, '
“ the true wisdome came out of the mouth of the Most
Highest.” This is the true philosophy. The wisdom of
the Greeks was founded on mundane things, and is called '
by the apostle “ the wisdom of this world ” only. The
Ethnic wisdom acknowledges no Christ, no sacred word,
which was the Creator. It tells of the world as eternal,
whereas the true wisdom tells that God created all thino-s.
This divine Sophia and wisdom is the ground of all arts,
and is revealed unto man for his instruction. “All the'
treasures of wisdom and science are hid in Christ.” Hermes
rightly terms the divine spirit the centre of everything. It
may be collected from the words of Solomon that wisdom
discovered to him five things — the absolute mysteries con-
cerning the making of the world ; the nature, power, and
generation of the elements, and then their uses - and’'

172

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

purposes ; the reason and manner in which winds are
produced ; astronomical divisions and astrological natures ;
the necessaries belonging to the art of physic ; the secrets
of things occult, of the angels, and of God Himself. In
these is comprehended the mystery of theology.

1. Theology is the speech or teaching of God. It was
the very spirit in the fleshly Christ and His apostles which
made their corporal or bodily organs, their tongues to
speak, and their hands and pens to write. The same
theology is to be found in both Testaments.

2. The angelical world. There is no secret mystery
comprehended among the society of angels but what is
disclosed by the super-excellent Spirit of God.

3. The temporal starry world, Astronomy ; the Lord
“ telleth the number of the stars, he calleth them all by
their names.” “ They,” as Baruch says, “ rejoice at the
commandment of God.” They fight in their courses against
God’s enemies, as in the instance of Sisera.

4. In the temporal elementary world. Meteorology, as
declared by Job ; God “ made the weight for the winds, and
he weigheth the waters by measure.” He makes a law for
the rain, and a way for the lightnings of the thunder. God
sheweth “ this one spirit of wisdome, in whom is the power
of contraction, a condensation as of dilatation or rarifaction.”
All meteorology is “ founded on the spirit.”

5. Physic. “ Of the Most High cometh healing.” “ He
sendeth forth his word and healeth them.” Wisdom it is
that giveth life and health to every creature. She is the tree
of life. By the instruction of the divine Word hath the
healing properties of different herbs and substances been re-
vealed. By “ the discovery of this spirit,” Solomon learned so
much of the nature of plants, from the hyssop to the cedar.

6. Music. Wisdom effects, “ by an essential kind of
symphonicall accord, the whole harmony of the world.”
The elements themselves were charged by a kind of
harmony. Christ is the band or tie “ whereby the dis-
cording elements are compelled into an harmonious accord.”

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

173

7. Arithmetic and Geometry. “ Thou hast disposed or
proportioned all things in measure, number, and weight.”
By the Divine Spirit, “ not only the earth had his geo-
metricall dimension, situation, and position, but also the
sun, the moon, the stars, and each thing else.”

8. Rhetoric and Oratory. Moses is given such power.
“ I will be thy mouth, and I will teach thee what is fit to
say.” Thus God teacheth us that He giveth the mouth
and wisdom, and can take away the speech, sentences, and
words when He pleases. It is wisdom that openeth the
mouth of the dumb and maketh the tongue of children
eloquent.

9. Mechanic Arts. It was given by God to Bezalell
and Aholiab, and all the wise-hearted, to know all the
inventions of goldsmiths’ work, and of the jewellers, arti-
ficers, and carpenters. All proceeded from the fountain of
knowledge.

10. Moral Philosophy. All moral discipline “ hath her
root and beginning from this holy spirit of discipline.”
God it is that keepeth “ the paths of judgment, and pre-
serveth the way of his saints.”

11. Policy. Political government is warranted by
Scripture. “ Wisdom maketh a king to govern or reigne
over his people worthily.” By wisdom kings reign and
princes degree judgment. The Divine Spirit is the only
guide of true government in every commonwealth.

12. Miraculous and Supernatural Effects. These pass
the capacity of man’s imagination. Man may do wonders
with the Divine Wisdom firmly united to his own spirit.
All the prophets and other miracle- workers did their
wonders by the power of the Divine Spirit. There is no
art, however abstruse or mystical, but has root in the true
wisdom ; without it all are bastard and spurious. All
must have foundation on the sure rock, which is Christ.

The writer next describes the “ false wisdom and
spurious philosophy.” This is false, animal, diabolicall,
litigious, immodest, void of fruit. Its foundation is the

174

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

tradition of the devil. The philosophers of Athens con-
sidered S. Paul a babbler ; the true wisdom, therefore, ha<J
never been theirs. The heathenish philosophy, which so
many follow, hides the true. Its followers, with their
master, Aristotle (as if he were another Jesus), promise to
open “ unto mankind the treasure of the true wisdom.”
Particulars of the erroneous doctrine of the Gentile philoso-
phers follow. Plato was better grounded in the true
wisdom than Aristotle. The Agarens, and these of Theman-
were but the forerunners of Christians, who, seeking of
Pagans and Gentiles knowledge of arts and sciences, instead
of in the Book of God, have never attained to true wisdom:
Thus Jannes and Jambres still withstand Moses. Jehovah,
in His conversation with Job, declares that He is the true
Author of all life and motion, and that the earth and
elements were not from eternity, but were created.

The third book commences with an argument to show
the uncertainty of the ancient Grecian and Arabian
philosophy in regard to “ the beginning of all things.”
They differed. Some held water to be the beginning of all
things ; Anaximenes, that “ an infinite aire ” was the
original of all. Some held this “ aire” to be God. Zoroaster
held that all things took “their beginning from fire and
light.” These philosophers did not realise that a Divine
Power or Sacred Word was more ancient than all things.
Trismegistus and Plato were the most divine of any of
these philosophers ; and the former, both by his books and
especially in his “ Pymander,” described the manner of the.
world’s creation and the doctrine of the Trinity. The
“ Hyle ” of Plato, the “ Umbra Horrenda,” or “ fearful
shadow,” of Hermes, are the dark, deformed abyss or chaos
of Moses.

In the next chapter, Fludd commences to unfold his
Mosaic Sapience, or scheme of “ beginnings in general!” At
first the earth was without form and void — a rude, indi-
gested mass. The essence of all things was from all
eternity in God. “ Of Him, and by Him, and in Him are

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

175

all things.” Not of a “ vain, negative nothing.” God is
the entity of all entities. Hermes and Moses agree
together, that “ darkness was upon the face of the abysse.”
All things lay hid in the “ secret bosome ” of God till
called forth by the Divine Spirit. “ Darkness is unto God
as light.” 1 The material principle was contained within
one “ invisible water — the. mother of the elements and seed
of all things.” Nothing was at first visible, but was in the
Catholic treasury. It is “ Nihil ” or “ Nothing.” Then, the
dark Aleph was converted into the light Aleph. Elohim
Ruach did act the part of birth-giving, and gave the rude
mass “ act and form.” The fiery virtue of the Spirit per-
formed this. “ The originall catholick matter of all things
was water.” The deformed matter was at first void. It
was vacuity, inanity, nothing, darkness. Eternal, light, as
said by Aristotle and Damascen to be an accident, is absurd.
The light principle and the dark principle ; opposite active
natures are heat and cold. Darkness is latent ; light is
active. Cold, then, is not an accident. The one Spirit, as
shown by Ezekiel, hath a fourfold quality. The northern
contracts, hardens ; the south wind melts and softens ; the
east wind dries up.

In the fourth book the “ Universall Mystery of Rare-
faction and Condensation ” are explained. “ It is also
proved that by them the world was made, the heavens
established in due order, and the catholick element altered
and changed after a quadruple manner and condition.”
When God withdraws His actual beams unto Himself,
death to the creature ensues. The virtue of heat is essential
unto light. Rarefaction is “ the ‘ dilating of water by heat,
which was first attracted by cold condensation ’ — a sucking
and drawing together of those watery parts, which were
dilated or dispersed by heat.” The angels stand on the
four corners of the earth, holding the four winds. They
are Presidents, and organs by which the winds are
operative — the sons of Titan. ' The winds are under the
• • 1 Compare Dionysius, “Gloom:” - ' . •< *•

176

DOCTOR ROBERT FEUDD.

governance of Michael, the Angel Imperial of the Sun.
Therefore is he said to rise from the east ; “ And I saw
another angel come from the east ; he cried with a loud
voice to the four angels,” &c. The Eternal Breath animates
the angels. The divine power and Spirit “ doth essentially
inhabit this illustrious palace of the heavenly sun.” Thus
the heavens “ declare the glory of God.” “ God hath put
His tabernacle in the sun.” The sun is that “ heavenly
candle ” which “ informeth with light and beauty all the
starry candles in heaven.” The sun being circular, must
have a point or centre. God is a “ consuming fire.” The
“ centrall divinity,” which is like the soul in the creature, is
in the sun. The sun is placed in the centre of the heavens.
It is framed in true harmony. Thus the Platonists declare
the sun to be the seat of “ their ‘ Anima Mundi,’ or soul of
the world.” The royal and consonant diapason comprehends
the true inferior accords in music, diapente and diatessaron.
It is probable that the whole harmony of the heavens, and
consequently of the world, is put in practice in this created
organ. It is the actor or player wherein is the Eternal
Spirit, By the sun God doth vivify all things. Its near
approach revives the herbs and trees. As God filleth all
things, “ light is divinity, and in divinity is light,” The
Word was the agent. The heavens are invisible by reason
of their rarity ; the stars are visible by reason of their
density. The air is an invisible water, but is converted
into clouds, they into rain, and so unto earth. By rare**
faction, the air is converted into lightning.

The true mystery of generation and corruption is the
subject of the sixth chapter. God strike th, and He also
cureth. The forsaking of God is the cause of death. When
His brightness returns, life is again brought forth. It is
the presence of the corruptible body “ which hindreth the
perpetuity of living men ” ; dissolution must needs take
place before “ the occult spiritual body can be at liberty to
embrace the spirit of life with eternall tyes,” The dead
body is like a dark abyss. So in geueration. In the fluid

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

177

sperm is the whole man — flesh, bones, blood, sinews — and
gradually, from an “ embrionall shape,” will come into a
perfect creature. “ So in the great world we see that
simple elements contain clouds, water, rain, fire or lightning,
and stone.”

God doth not operate of necessity, as Aristotle teaches,
but of His “ proper will and benigne inclination.” If God
acts of His proper essence, it is evident that He is moved
by His own accord, so not by either external compulsion or
internal necessity. If it is only of necessity that God acts,
what thanks, or service, or adoration can we owe Him ?
Prayer is then abolished. Galen speaks atheistically when
he says that nature cannot do some things, and that God
doth not attempt these things at all. Avicenna is much
nearer Scripture.

The next book treats of “ Meteorologicall Impressions.”
The pagan philosophy, when produced to the “ Lidian
tryall or touchstone of Truth,” is found mere dross. The
term “ meteor ” is explained ; apparitions seen in the air ;
impressions, shaped and imprinted in air ; mixed bodies,
not of perfect form ; mysticall bodies, “ framed and fashioned
by the finger of God.”

Zacharias teaches us that winds are created and ani-
mated by an angelic spirit, and stand before the Lord of all
the earth — called out at His pleasure. Several definitions
are given; the last runs thus : — “The winds are the angels
of the Lord, strong in power, which effect the word of God,
and listen unto His voice and His flaming ministers which
accomplish His pleasure.”

The fifth chapter treats of “The Generation of the
Clouds and Rain.” Aristotle’s opinion is that a cloud is
produced of a vapour, elevated from the earth and water
into the middle region of the air, by the attractive power of
the sun or stars, and then congealed. He makes the
opposite agents, heat and cold, to be the producers. But
the opposite is true. The sun dispels vapours, but does not

solidify them. God tieth the waters in tbe thick clouds,

178

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

giveth laws unto the rain, and assigneth a way unto the
lightning. “ God's treasures are opened, and clouds fly
forth as fowls " (Eccles. xliii. 14). The clouds are formed
of the air. It is the Eternal Spirit of Jehovah which
operates, “that centrall, animating Spirit, born or gliding
on the wings of the wind, residing, but not exclusively,
in the cloud, who, according to His pleasure, by means of
His organicall ministers, the angelicall winds, fashioneth
forth the clouds, to serve as a cover or substance unto it.”

Fludd’s peculiar notions as to snow are amongst the
best known of his opinions. “ The snow is a meteor which
God draweth forth of His hidden treasury, in the form of
wool, to effect His will upon earth, either by way of
punishment or clemency.” God, by His word, “ which doth
operate in His private property by His cold, is the essential,
efficient, and omnipotent actor in the production of the
snow.”

Aristotle's opinion as to fountains and rivers is now
assailed. Aristotle held that these had their origin, like
clouds, from vapours “ arising from the bottom of the earth,
and resolved, liquified, and condensed into water through
cold and heat together within the earth.” But it is God
that sendeth forth the fountains through the valleys — to
give pure drink to every living creature. A fountain is a
flux of water issuing from the sea, flowing into the bowels
of the earth, then into the upper superficies of it, by virtue
of the divine act and mundane spirit.

Fludd's doctrine as to thunder and lightning concludes
the first section of the treatise. Lightning is a “ certain
fiery aire or spirit, animated by the brightness of Jehovah,”
extracted out of the heavens, to do and execute His will.
Thunder is the “ voice of God ” — “ a noise which is made
in the cloudy tent or pavillion of Jehovah.” It is sent
° out of the cavity of the clouds into the open aire.”

An epilogue concludes the first section. It is addressed
to the judicious and Christian reader. It declares that the
Ethnic philosophy, being merely grounded on worldly

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

179

wisdom, is to be set aside for that which is founded on the
Catholic Church, or eternal Spirit of God. It only is true.

The “ second section of this Treatise, wherein the reall
History and fundamentall grounds of sympathy, or con-
cupiscible Attraction and Coition, and consequently of all
raagneticall sorts of curing : and also of Antipathy or odible
expulsion, and therefore of each malady and annoyance, are
proved by infallible reasons, maintained by the assertions
of the wisest Philosophers and Cabalists, justified by the
inviolable Testimonies of Holy Scriptures, and, lastly,
verified and confirmed by sundry magneticall experiments/’
follows from page 127.

Nonulty and volunty, darkness, light, all sympathy and
antipathy springs immediately from certain passions of the
soul — one concupiscible, the other irascible. The abstruse
unity at one time “ reflecteth his beams into itself, and so
then outside all is dark, void, destitute of vivifying act.
When again this abstruse unity sends forth its benign and
salutary brightness, then conformity, light, and position
follow. Therefore darkness and light are all one in the
Archetypicall unity.” Love and concord are the result of
the matter substance of dark water, the female ; and the
irradiating light is the masculine illuminating spirit. Thus
sprang the love and hatred of angels and evil spirits. By
reason of the cross variety of the starry influence, all those
mutations and alterations spring in the ethereal and sub-
lunary heavens — the discord and concord of the elements,
the multiplicity of affections, dispositions, passions. The
writer concludes, with Heraclitus and Empedocles, that “ all
things are made and composed of strife and friendship.”
The son of Sirach wisely says “ all things are of a double
nature, the one of them contrary to the other, and yet
there is nothing made which is defective.”

The unity is first in place, yet cannot be limited by any
quantitive dimensions nor divided into distinct portions.
Unity, therefore, is the radical principle. Yet, while it
remained inactive, it could not be esteemed as God, nor be

180

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

called father. The Hyle or chaos had not yet been acted
on. This mystical infinity, “ while it was thus bewrapped
in the gloomy clew ” — vacant, without action — was termed
“ Nihil,” not “ Finis,” not “ Ens.” The letter Aleph, by all
cabalistical rule, is considered equal to the figure of one in
arithmetic, and so taken micrographically for God — the
unity in itself. Darkness is the “ enclosure or retaining of
the actuall beams or light of immortall life.” It is the
“ Tabernacle of rest.”

All things were at first ideally in God. He did beget,
bring forth, make and create nothing which was not eter-
nally of Himself and in Himself. He is all, but beyond all.
All numbers do flow from unity. “ If we shall multiply an
unity as a root in itself, it will produce but itself, namely,
an unity for a square, the which being again remultiplicated
on itself, will bring forth a cube, which is all one with the
root or square, to wit, a simple unity.” Trismegistus says
“ one begat one, and reflected the order and virtue of His
emanation into itself” — that is, showed into itself — to the
shaping out of an ideal world. The many ideas of God are
yet but one. The essential unity of the philosopher,
Leucippus, is the “ Summum bonum,” or the sovereign good
and felicity. By the mental unity is meant the absolute
divine monarchy in itself, without any respect to creation.
We need not be surprised at the Manichaeans, who held that
there were two co-eternal principles. Some poets even
held this opinion, and averred that Demogorgon was circled
about with eternity and chaos. Strife was produced and
cast into the abyss. Demogorgon then produced Pan, who
was placed upon the throne. Plato and others held that
chaos was God s companion from all antiquity. Pan stands
for the universal nature of the world, and the concord of
contrary elements. The sisters of destiny, the Parcae,
signify the three divisions of time — past, present, and
future. The divine nature is seen in man. It is but one.
Yet this unity operates in two contrary properties —
affability, which gives, affirms, pleases ; negation — denial,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD. 181

refusal, taking away. So the divine volunty or nolunty is
all one. It is goodness. God leads to the grave ; He
brings back again to life when He pleaseth. Divine
sympathy proceeds from that concording and vivifying love
which ariseth from the benign emanation of the Creator.
Deformity, discord, arise from a hateful affection. So the
whole world and every creature is “ of a twofold nature,
whereof the one is contrary unto the other, and yet there is
not anything which is defective.” The question — Why did
God raise up Adam out of the unformed matter ? — these two
contraries, is perhaps one of the profoundest secrets of the
divine mysteries. “ It is too occult a cabale to be explained
by mortal capacity.”

Ethnick philosophers and Holy Scripture teach us that
“ there is a soul of the world.” What is this soul ? Of
what is it made ? The tenet of the Cabalists is that “ the
great angell, whom we term Mitratron, is that same Catholic
Spirit which doth animate the whole world.” The Pyth-
agoreans do not much differ from this opinion. The
Platonists did call “ the generall virtue, which did
engender and preserve all things, the animorum mundi, or
the soul of the world.” To this opinion the Arabian
philosophers and Trismegistus adhere. Zoroaster held that
the soul of the world is that Catholick invisible fire, by
which all things are generated. Virgil is of the same way
of thinking. Alchemists have called it the “ Ligamen, or
Bond of the Elements.” None of these opinions are to be
considered abominable — and vary little or nothing from the
tenets of Holy Scripture. As man, the little world, has
soul and body, so has the great world. There can be no
created soul without an agent. The soul of the world is
Alteritas. Compounded of two parts — the internal, vivify-
ing flame, issuing from the eternal emanation of life, and the
external, which is “ an iEviall Spirit,” animated from God.
Before the humid spirit moved and lived, all was vile and
unformed ; now, by the residence of the anima mundi, all lives.
It is “ that Catholick or general spirit, divinely animated

182

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

from the beginning, which doth vivify afterward each par-
ticular creature of the world/’ We see now what the
“ natura naturans ” is, and then what the “ natura naturata”
is. The “ forma formans,” or “ natura naturans,” is God,
or the divine emanation which created all things ; the
other, “ natura naturata,” is the created light, or the spirit
informed or illuminated by the presence of the bright
uncreated spirit. It is said to be “ cloathed with light, that
is, with an illuminated spirit, as with a garment.” The
writer supports his views from Damascene, S. Bernard, and
S. Augustine. This is the Divine Word of God — power by
which He “ upholdeth all things.” For by “ the word of
the Lord were the heavens made,” and life, preservation,
and being became existent. “ Anima ” is the fountain of
the world’s life, by which it moveth and hath its being, and
consequently the essential life and central or mental soul of
the world, moving the created humid spirit thereof. No
otherwise than the spirit which God breathed into Adam,
did move and operate, and by the organ of the created air.
So Judith sang, “ Let all creatures serve thee, for thou
spakest. Thou didst send forth thy Spirit, and it created
them.” Therefore Mitratron is just “ that universal spirit
of wisdome which God sent out from His Throne ” to reduce
all into order — making the universal nothing into a uni-
versal something. These ideas are illustrated by the
diagram of “ a pyramid or triangle,” as drawn by Adrastus
and Calcidius. From this mystery, rightly understood, all
science, even the abstrusest philosophy, may be deciphered.
Seven strings or proportions make up this figure — 1, 2, 3, 4,
8, 9, 27. When both lines meet in one point, the figure of
1 is expressed with unity. It participates on both sides —
the material existence and the formal emanation. It is
thus the fountain of matter and also of form. Trismegistus
thus expresses it, “ God is form and He is matter.” “ He is
in everything that existeth.” 2 issuing from one is the
confusion of unities, whereas 3 (which makes a triangle), is
a term perfect. All perfection consists of three terms, a

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

183

beginning, a middle, and an end. A root, a square, and a
cube import a supreme soul, a spirit and a body of the
world, ideally pointed out in the archetypic, longitude,
latitude, and profundity. “ The root of the matter, there-
fore, which is 2, imports the dark chaos.” The root of
form, which is 3, imports that the root 2, or the dark
waters, is animated by the formal or bright emanation of
unity or 1 ; and so the first 2 was accomplished and the
soul of the world created, namely, by the angelical emana-
tion. So the Cabalists tell us the anima mundi was first
created ; " before all things God created her in the Holy
Spirit,” &c. Multiplying 3 in itself, we have the formal
square — the nine orders of angels. The cubical form is 27.
" The root of life is fixed in the angelical composition, which
is of simple light and pure spiritual matter ” — the Eternal
Supreme or essential soul is the act of the angels. The
iEviall angelical spirit of the stars or heavenly influences
is the soul and life of the winds and subliminary elements.

1. The imperial heaven or intellectual spirit — the seat
of angels — the root.

2. This animates the stars or ethereal regions. This
refers to the square.

3. The starry heaven is the male, the multiplier and
vivifier of the elementary region. This refers to the cube.

Such is the ternary number with its triple dimension.

The three words, “ Intelligible, Celestial, and Element-
ary,” are represented by the three Hebrew letters forming
the name Adam, the intellect, the soul of the body in man
— the Microcosmus — the Tabernacle of Moses, the Temple
of Solomon, and the Body of Man. The tabernacle did
symbolize with the three words in her parts. The first
exposed and uncovered — the sublimary world — the vicissi-
tudes of life in it exhibited by the continual deaths and
sacrifices of animals. This represents the elementary world
— the cube. The second part of the tabernacle, which was
burnished over with gold and illuminated by a candlestick
of seven lights, represent the starry heaven with its seven

184 DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

planets. This region is in the middle. The third was the
Sanctum Sanctorum, and represents the super - celestial
intelligible soul or “ empereall spirit ” — the seat of the
angels ; here, therefore, were placed the Cherubim — the
divine fire abode in light between the Cherubim, fiery spirits
in themselves. Even Aristotle says we honour God after
the number of three, by natural instinct. So the root 3 is
the angelical or intellectual world ; the square 9 the celestial ;
the cube 27 the elementary. So three nines — digital —
of tens and of hundreds, require only 1 to be added to
the number of unity to make 1000. The square of 3, which
is 9, having Aleph (1) added, makes 10, “ beyond the which,
as Aristotle averreth, no man hath even found any number.”
So the tenth or title is God’s proportion. The numbers, 999,
are produced from the name Mitraton ; in other words, the
radical square and cubical extension — Alpha and Omega —
the vivifier of all. This, therefore, is the true “ Donum
Dei” — the gift of God. So, too, do the two pyramids,
meeting at the “ Spherum iEqualitatis ; thus the sun has
his tabernacle, and so is the sphere of the anima mundi.
The ancient philosophers say all things are full of gods, but
all these are referred to Jupiter. By gods they mean the
divine virtues impressed into things.” “ That is to say, the
essentiall beams of this Eternal Jupiter, or Jehova, are
in every particnlar place of the world, making things
to live and exist.” The writer concludes that “ the soul of
the world hath, for his internail act, the bright emanation
of the eternall Unity, and the subtile Catholic created spirit
for its humid vehicle or materiall organ, which is its
externall, in which, and by which, it operateth in all and
over all.”

The world is an image of God. Man is an image of the
world, and the variety of species upon the earth did proceed
from the act of creation, when the fiat was spoken. “ The
hidden element of life is in the aire.” That is, God giveth
life and inspiration to all things. This is that super-
substantial food which we are taught by Christ in our

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

185

“ Pater noster to pray for.” Thus Nature makes her natures
to rejoice. Thus is the secret fire of God sucked or drawn
into the hearts of all creatures. By Elohim Ruach the
waters became animated, and became what the Platonists
called “ Magnum animal.” Man, therefore, has from the
soul of the world his sustentation, preservation, and multi-
plication. The sparks of light and generation “ swimme
in the aire,” and amongst these man is the chief. Diastole
is the action by which man (and animals) suck into the life
chamber of the heart strength from “ the airy substance of
nature.” When Nature has thus received, she reserves after
an anatomy the purest — a subtile, volatile salt — the selected
spirit of life, in the aorta or great artery, sending out the
less pure parts by expiration. This compressing motion is
called Systole. There is a triple valve, or gate, like three
half-moons, to secure this treasure. Thus does the breath
of the Omnipotent vivify man. So God operates in the
sperm according to the different species of creatures. The
shape or kind was allotted at the first. The sperm and the
semen united together, made of the refined elements of the
body. There are two vessels — “ the one spiritual, the other
elemental ” — together they produce the needed result.

In the second book, the writer proceeds further in his
discoveries of the results of the principles of light and
darkness, sympathy and antipathy. By searching Holy
Scripture, and the works of the Hebrew and Egyptian
Rabbies, “ he hath gathered, that the eternall, or divine and
archetypicall world, which hath neither beginning nor end,
doth radically spring from one simple and catholick foun-
tain of light, and doth defuse a decuple emanation, endued
with a tenfold property, into the iEviall or angelicall world,
which hath its beginning from the eternall One, but no
end.” There are different angelical spirits, “ which cor-
respond in nature and condition unto each divine property.”
Thus do the beams of eternal brightness become dif-
fused. Sympathy and antipathy are exhibited by “ the
Loadstone, or mineral calamite.” The marvellous and occult

186

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

nature of the loadstone is explained. Righteous use of
God’s creatures can never incur the error of cacomagy,
although the devil and his adherents do abuse them by
converting them to mischief. Sympathy is Greek, mean-
ing, a “ consent, union, and concord between two spirits.”
Antipathy is an “ odible passion, moved by two resisting
and fighting natures, of a contrary fortitude.” It is,
therefore, most certain that there are an infinity of
creatures of divers natures in the universal machine.
These were created and then maintained after generation
by sundry celestial influences, or many thousands in variety
of beams descending from above. “ There is not any plant
or herb which hath not a star in the firmament.” The
Scriptures are not repugnant to this opinion. Christ is the
trunk of the tree, and the angelic existences in their various
stations are the branches. The angels are clear mirrors
receiving the light of God. The fruits and seeds of the
divine tree may be compared unto the stars, and the leaves
unto the creatures below. All the angelic lights proceed
from “ the one and the self-same catholick emanation.”
The spirit, therefore, is both “ unicus et multiplex.” This
is well exemplified in the “ numericale or Sepheroticall
Tree.” There are ten different attributes of God given in
the Hebrew Bible. Each has a different operation. The
one only essential title of the Deity is “ Tetragrammaton,” or
Jehovah. This signifies no participation with the creature.
But the other names given do. These express God accord-
ing to His works, as He exists in all things. All these
names are subject to Tetragrammaton. They relate to
effects. Some incline to darkness and privation, some to
light and position, some to severit}^, some to benignity.
Some produce the effect of darkness and contraction —
others immobility, heat, and dilation. Fludd proceeds to
enumerate the various names in the “ Sephoricall Tree.”

1. Ehieh. The original of all creatures, and the
Foundation of mercy and clemency. The Father. It is,
therefore, called Cheter, or Corona.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

187

2. Jah. The gracious emanation of the world, and the
humid or created nature. So its gate is called Hochma —
wisdom was with Jehovah when He appointed a foundation
to the earth.

3. Elohim. Binah is the opening or port through which
the reflecting beams dart forth. Fear and terror are bound
up with this name. Under it Jehovah exercises His power
in the punishment of the wicked. These are the great
Three — the powers by which the world was created.

4. El. Clemency, mercy. Its channel or gate — Chesed
— pours forth grace, benignity, life, and goodness on the
world.

5. Elohim- Gibbor. Through its channel — Geburah —
came forth all celestial powers — Mars, thunder, war, con-
tention, anger.

6. Eloach-Tiphereth is its golden gate, and sends forth
delight, beauty, and ornament.

7. Seboath. Its channel is Neizeth, the god of triumph,
jubilation, rest, and perfection. Venus is his storehouse.

8. Elohim-Saboth — the god of armies. Hod is the gate,
and Mercury his celestial treasury.

9. Elchai — the omnipotent — Iesod. The basis or foun-
dation is his gate — Redemption or Rest. The sphere is the
moon — the celestial earth.

10. Adonai. Mulchut is the port. This numeration
imparts severity through God’s wrath and anger, and “ his
influxion is directly into the elementary world.”

In these, the Rabbies include “ all things in the world, be
they esteemed good or evil.” The effect of each of these
contrary emanations is the generation and preservation of
creatures of their own nature and condition. Even the
most venemous creatures and the corroding minerals have
properties which c ‘ take away dolorous maladies.” They
heal and destroy, wound and cure. All God’s works are
therefore very good. All fulfil God’s commandments. In
fury they exercise torments, and at times they pour forth
their virtues, Love and hatred, sympathy and antipathy.

188

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

were created to girdle and shoulder one another in the
world — first angels, then stars, then winds and elements,
and, lastly, compound creatures, which are composed of
these elements.

The writer then proceeds to demonstrate “ that the
occult action, as well of sympathy as antipathy in creatures,
proceedeth from angelicall irridiations or shillings forth ;
that is, by the emission or ejaculation of their secret beams,
the one against the other, out of such creatures as are
created or generated under their dominions,” and to
enumerate the different angelic powers belonging to or
effluxing from the different radiations or parts of the Sacred
Name. “ By the continuity, therefore, of these several and
opposite irradiations, or emanation of beams, from God
unto the Imperiall Angels, and from them unto the Olym-
pick Spirits, and so continuated from these unto the
Elementary spirituall shapes or demons, we may gather
this much, namely, first, that God doth operate onely,
essentially, all in all, in and over all ; next, that according
unto the variety of His Volunty, He worketh diversely in
this world, and therefore we must know that His Yoluntv
is manifold in property, because that things are effected, as
well in heaven as in earth, after a manifold operation ;
therefore, if God operateth all, and in all, the diversity of
His work must proceed from the multiplicity of His
Volunty.”

The next chapter treats of occult radiations. The most
profound astronomers are of opinion that every star has an
appropriate nature, consequently their beams or influences
are diverse. The variet} 7- of the aspect also varies the effect
of the beams. Those from the centre of the star to the
centre of the earth are the strongest. Those emitted
obliquely are defective — thus different kinds of individuals
are produced in the world. On account of the “ diverse
manner of beams in every diverse place and thing,” so is it
in the elementary world, which is made after the example of
the heavenly. All things in this world do emit beams.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

189

Medicines do send forth their influences in beams. So in
coloured things. Thus it is that in horoscopes the state of
the starry lord of life affects the nature of the creature
born. If the star partaking with the lord of life be an
enemy, then the spirit of the creature produced and
governed will be subject to discordant passions, fear, anger,
sadness, and suspicion. Reciprocal affection between crea-
tures springs from the reciprocal accords in their starry
conjunctions. " The evident cause of the sympathy and
antipathy of things proceedeth from the radicall mystery of
the opposite attributes or properties in God/’ “ Moses
Arabicus saith that every animated thing hath a peculiar
star, which sendeth down his influence to defend and
preserve his life upon earth, and that by the divine will
and command.” Four good angels and four bad angels
have effect upon the four winds. Good and propitious
events occur to the creatures of this lower world when the
benign stars and planets have dominion in heaven, and
consequently their influence below. So adverse accidents
and destructive effects occur from the power of the innum-
erable evil spirits which do hover in the air. “ Some of
them are agents to life, and some unto death/’ These
spirits are in continual conflicts. All the passions of the
soul have their beginning from the opposition of these two
spirits of a contrary fortitude.

“ Sympathy or compassion proceedeth from a certain
dilatation of spirits in two or more particulars, or an
emitting of their internail beams of life or essence, positively
and benignly, from the center unto the circumference,
attempting thereby to make a concord or union between
two or more like or homogenial natures ; and contrariwise
antipathy, by contracting the said beams from the circum-
ference unto the center, moveth after an opposite manner,
namely, by division or discord, that is, quite contrary unto
the beams of the other which are emitted.”

The soul in the great world must have the same
faculties that the soul in the little world has. This prqceeds

190

DOCTOR ROBERT PLUDD.

from the attribute Elohim-Gibbor, by the port Geburah,
and by the archangel Samael. Thereby is thrown down
into the globe or sphere of man attributes of anger and
displeasure, famine and pestilence. So with the other
attributes. The blood of one man may sympathise with
that of another, though at a distance, as the loadstone of
one mine may affect the iron of another ; the reason being
that both the natures belong unto one divine influence.
Thus Aries affects cattle, Scorpio creeping things, Cancer
things in the sea, “ For whatsoever was originally decreed
in the secret counsell of the Archetype is effected from a
generality into many specialities, and from each speciality
unto an infinite number of individuall particularities ; so
that the iEviall or Angelical! effect is the image of the
externall Idea, and the temporall world is the similitude of
the iEviall ; and again, in the temporall or typeicall world,
every stellar shape is the likeness or paterae of the Angeli-
call Idea ; and again, the Elementary things are the
Shadows of the Spiritual Shapes or Images in heaven.”

The second number of the second book shows “ wherein
the magneticall nature is truly anatomized, and the reasons
of sympatheticall and anti-sympatheticall action ripped up.”

The attractive virtue of magnetic bodies is explained.
Many ancient writers, such as Ficinus, Lucas Gauricus, and
Cardan have been of opinion that “ the immediate cause of
the varieties of this stone's virtue springs from the rising of
the Star in the Bear s Tail.” Paracelsus thinks “ that it is
the star, which, being full of the Loadstone power, draweth
the iron unto them.” Plato “ confesseth the magneticall
essence to be a divine power.” Olaus Magnus says ff that the
attractive force cometh from some Northern Islands, which
abound in that magnetick subject.” Dr William Gilbert,
" my renowned Fellow or Colleague,” is of opinion that the
attractive virtue in the loadstone doth spring from “ formal
actions or original and primary virtues or vigours.”

The author then states his own opinion. All Cabalists
and philosophers affirm heaven to be the masculine, and

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

191

earth to be the feminine. “ Neither can I but consent with
Lucas Gauricus, the astrologian’s opinion, where he saith
(as is recited before), that the Star in the Tail of XJrsa
Major, or the Great Bear, is President of the Loadstone ; as
also that Saturn is the planet which is allotted to him ;
and, lastly, that it hath an special relation unto the Con-
stellation of Virgo, and the rather, because Virgo is that
signe of the Zodiack which possessesth the very self-same
Longitude that the said star doeth, and for that it is of an
earthly, stiptick, and attractive nature, as also of the con-
dition of Saturn and Venus. All these reasons have been
strong motives to persuade me that these are principall
celestiall agents, in the northern disposition and property of
this lower world, and consequently in the attractive motion
of the terestriall Northern Pole, and every particular
thereof.”

“ Now since every spirit, and consequently this of the
Loadstone, desireth to be nourished by that which is
nearest and likest unto his own nature, the which nature
and spirit is only found in iron, it happeneth, for this
reason, that the inward martiall spirit of the Loadstone
doth draw the body of iron unto it, and, after an occult
manner, doth seem to suck his nourishment out of it ; I
conceive, therefore, that the first salt in the Iron or Load-
stone is partly of a hot aud dry martiall nature, and
consequently of a fiery, earthly condition ; and partly of a
cold and dry, stiptick, and saturnine faculty, which also it
receiveth from its earth ; and therefore there concurreth
two testimonies of strange attraction in the Loadstone.”
What man is in the animal kingdom, the loadstone is in
the mineral. Within man lurks a secret mystery. He is
the " center or miracle of the world.” He is the temple of
God, the body of Christ, the tabernacle of the Holy Ghost.
God would not, we may be sure, make choice of an un-
worthy dwelling-place. “ Man is rightly reported by
Hermes to be the son of the world, as the world is the son
of God.” The direct disposition of man is . when his face is

192

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

disposed to the orient. His right hand “ respects the south,
as his left hand the north.” The liver sympathises with
the southern nature ; the spleen, again, is in the left part —
the receptacle of melancholy. As in the great world the
northern blasts eclipse often the fair sunshine, so the
northern spleen contracts the heart, and brings forth dark
passions. Thus the two opposite poles of the little world
concur in effect. So with the loadstone. It beholds the
<£ Pole Artick at so long a distance. Is it not wonderful
that this spirit can pass like that celestiall one in man,
where the aire is not able to penetrate ?” Man is composed
of matter of a watery and northern privative disposition —
cold and immobile — contractive. As the great world is
composed of hatred and friendship, so also is the little world.

The attractive nature of the loadstone is from the
circumference to the centre, being, as it were, to man’s
external view, half dead ; and, by that manner of attraction,
it draweth unto it his like, namely, spirits out of the iron or
steel. “ We may compare this unto a live man, which is
replenished with lively emanations or dilating spirits.”
The loadstone may seem a dead mass, but in truth, in
men’s dead bodies, “ there abideth admirable spirits, which
operate no less wonders.” The next point considered is the
operating ad distans and unlimited interval. The astricall
influence is of a more subtile condition than is the vehicle
of visible light. These influences penetrate into the centre
or bosom of the earth, generating metals of various kinds.
The Coelum is the quintessence of the alchemist, being able
to penetrate all things. Alkindus “saith that the ele-
mentary world is the image or pattern of the starry world,
so that everything that this world containeth in it doth
comprehend the form or likeness of the starry world; as
the fire sends out its beams of sensible heat, and so affects
us, the stars do the same.” The reason why the loadstone
“directeth his pole to the north,” is because in that part
there are mountains of loadstone that draw it thither. The
influence of the sun is seen in some herbs, which do

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

193

“ sympathetically meet, and joyne themselves, and embrace
lovingly the beams and influences of the sun.” In the
dark they contract their flowers. The crab and oyster
increase in juice when the moon increaseth. The action
of the forked twig of the hazel-tree is next referred to. Its
property as a divining rod for mineral veins is said to
extend downwards for 600 feet. The principle must be the
same as that of the loadstone. The beams of the mineral,
coming up through the earth, attract the forked twig.
Miraldus tells us that cucumbers are affected by thunder.
The affinity between the lightning, the fig-tree, and “ the
hide of the sea-calf,” are such that these latter never
suffer from the former. There are also strange antipathies
between animals, as between the elephant and the mouse,
the cock and the fox. It is well known that all snakes and
adders <<r do fear, and fly from, the ashen tree.” It is also
said that an adder is afraid of a naked man. In animals
the lover allures and draws the loved one by an admirable
nature of attraction. It is thus that dogs find out where
their masters are when they have been separated. Fludd
tells a story of this kind about a spaniel he had, which he
lost when travelling in the south of France, near Lyons.
The dog brought back a budget of letters of exchange,
which had been left behind.

The distance between the Pole Star and the loadstone is
unknown, yet the one doth operate in the other. Man
himself, then, must have, and has, a most subtile influence.
The soul is full of divinity, and that divine essence it is
that vivifieth all things. Hermes well says that “ all the
souls in the world are certain beamy streams, proceeding
from that Catholic emanation, which issued from the eternal
fountain of the illuminating act, to some more especially,
and to some more sparingly.” It is the same essential act
which causeth life, and contemplation that “ willeth or
nilleth.” The “ spiritual mummy ” in man, whose seat is in
the blood, may be drawn out by a magnet and cast into a
beast, tree, or herb.

194

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

In the next chapter it is shown that “ the devil doth
make use of materiall things to operate his stratagems
amongst men.” Yet these things are not to he abhorred or
accounted caco-magical. Who would say that, because the
devil sometimes uses the wind and the air for his bad
purposes, that therefore they are not to be used by us ?
The moon is termed “ the goddess of witches unto her
did Medea pray. The devil, who is an “ old beaten souldier
in astrology,” uses her influence for his evil purposes. Man,
made in God’s image, may surely also use God’s gifts at
proper times. Was it then a diabolical thing in Solomon
to look after and preach upon the abstruse nature of plants
and animals ? God made them all for man’s use. The
different qualities of vegetables and minerals are next
described. A curious story is told of a red-haired sailor
who sold himself to a Jew, and whose back being broken,
was killed by the stings of vipers, and so hung up in the
sun. A silver basin received what dropped from the
mouth. This became a most deadly poison. A story of
the same sort is told of a Roman Cardinal who, having got
his “red-headed mistris with child,” after she was de-
livered, did “ bury her, arms and all, unto the paps,” and
then set “ two hungry asps ” “ or todes ” to her. These
creatures biting and sucking her, her milk became a deadly
poison. The reason why red-headed men and women are
“ most fit for this purpose ” is because, by “ their nativity,
they are subject unto the influence of the Sun,” and their
spiritual mummy is more subtile, becoming “ exceeding
malitious.” Other curious instances of poison-production
are added.

Virgin parchment was made of the skin of young
children. On it were written the names of God and angels,
and the character of the planet appertaining. A witch who
was burned at Queensferry had a stone by which she
divined. It became moist if the thing was true, if false it
would not sweat. In 1581, at Lausanne, Claudea and
others confessed that the devil delivered to them subtile

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

195

powders of three natures. That of a black colour killed,
that of an ashen colour caused diseases, that of a white
colour cured. Surely man can do as much as the devil.
The occult mysteries of God in nature are His good
creatures. Evil began to shoulder out good at the Fall, and
the piece of wood with which Cain killed Abel was in the
shape of a cross, signifying by its form the opposition of
good and evil — the very instrument of Christ’s death. The
owl is a wonderful creature. “ If his heart and right foot
be put upon one that sleepeth, he will henceforth tell all
that he has done or anything you shall ask him.” “ Suck-
ing of blood from a mole whose nose is cut off will cure the
falling sickness.”

In the third book “ many practicall proofs ” are given,
and “ experimental conclusions ” adduced to confirm the
loving microcosmical attraction. “ The spiritual Christ,
the Divine Word, or external! wisdome,” is “ the true foun-
dation of the essential philosophy.” At last the catholic
magneticall virtue, “ which resideth in God’s eternall spirit,”
will draw all things unto Him, and all things shall be one
in Him, and He in them, and consequently all discord and
hatred shall cease. All things will be restored “ unto one
and the same radicall beginning.” “ All things will returne
and live in Him.”

There are four kinds of corporal mummy. Of these
only one is useful — the others are apt to breed diseases.
A body which has been in health, and is killed by
strangling or hanging, will remain long uncorrupt. Fludd
tells how he collected a portion of the “ Northern Mummy,”
the flesh of a man strangled in the air, and applied it to his
own body. The heat of it " drew off my mummicall and
vivifying spirits greedily, as it were by fits.” Taking off
the flesh, having previously felt the “ magnetic operation
sensibly,” he found it much altered “ in smell and view.”

The proof of the northern being the more magnetic is
proved by the operation of the weather glass. A piece of
flesh applied for gout will draw out the gouty matter and

196

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

can give it to a dog. If two mummies of opposite condition
— one deadly boreall and the other lively southern — be
placed in contact, they continue, when separated, to have a
spiritual relation. A dead man’s hand will reduce a
tumour ; a piece of beef rubbed on warts and then burned,
and so decaying, the warts will also decay. Vegetables
have also magnetical spirits. Creeping under a bramble
growing in the earth at both ends, three times, has cured
boils.

The rest of this book refers mostly to the use of the
weapon-salve, which is referred to elsewhere. Man is of
the more southernly disposition, woman of the colder and
more northern nature — the congealed blood circlet h the hot
spirits of the lively blood. Uniting, they “ procreate a
third, as a child, which partaketh of them both.” Cures
through the mixing of the sick person’s urine with the
ashes of a certain tree, and these balls put in a secret place,
as they decay, no one meddling with them, the disease
fades away ; “ and this experiment hath been tryed on
about an hundred, poor and rich.”

Many cynics will say that the sympathetical effects of
the spiritual mummy are allowable to a physician, yet that
the antipathetical properties thereof are odious, nay, caco-
magical. Some plants, animals, and minerals are rank
poison. Were they not made by God ? The asp, the
salamander, the dragon, the hemlock, the poppy ; minerals
such as arsenic, verdigris, lithurge, vitriol. All these, if
only rightly handled, are medicinal. It is the devil who
makes them odious. There are indeed fleshly devils upon
earth — abominable ministers and children of Satan — who,
by sleights, do make use of man’s last breath to serve their
wicked employments. Sympathy may be turned into
antipathy. The conclusion of the “ Mosaicall Philosophy ”
is but a page long. It is an apology for defect in style, in
eloquence. Truth unadorned is sufficient, and needs not
“the gilded tresses of superficiall speeches.” Wordlings still
“ persecute and crucifie daily the spirituale Christ, which is

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

197

the only verity, true wisdom, corner stone, and essential
subject of the true philosophy, whose Name be blessed for
ever and ever.” Fludd’s concluding words are those of faith
and hope — •“ I will sing the truth under the shadow of thy
wings ; 0 Lord, in thee do I put my trust ; keep and
preserve me from mine enemies, for thy mercie’s sake.
Amen.”

CHAPTER XVIII.

FLUDD AND FOSTER.

1631 — Foster’s “ Hoplocrismaspongus” — History and Life of Foster — The
Weapon-Salve — Its origin — “ Man’s Mosse, blood and fat ” — Its
results and application — List of those who “ allow the Unguent ” —
“ Eightly, Dr Fludd ” — Receipt for the “ Unguent ” — Fludd’s
method of use — Foster’s “ Answer” — His choice of Titles — Armiger
— All “ Caco-Magicians ” — Fludd’s explanations — Coldness of
Devil’s body — Strange Ingredients then used in Medicine — man’s
grease — earth-worms — snails — spawn of frogs — animals’ excrements
— wood lice — vipers’ flesh — and broth — brick oil — up to 1795 —
Magicians — What this charge meant — Weemse’ Treatise — One con-
versant with the Devil — He and the Devil “wimpling” together —
1631 — Fludd’s answer appears in English — 1638, in Latin — Contents
— Three “Members,” reason of his Title — Foster’s father a barber
— Charge of being a Magician — its absurdity — Whether this curing
be Witchcraft — Explanation of cure — Ad Distans — Ointment the
Gift of God — Effect of God’s Vivifying Spirit — Effect of the Four
Winds — God’s Messengers — Sympathy between blood on the
person and on the weapon — Histories of cures given — The Sponge
Squeezed — God operateth radically on the blood — Conclusion —
Style of the two writers, Foster’s clearer than Fludd’s.

F the year 1631, there appeared at “ London, Printed by
Thomas Cotes, for John Grove, and are to be sold at
his shop at Furnival’s Inne Gate, in Holborne,” a small
quarto of tifty-six pages, entitled, “ Hoplocrismaspongus : or
a sponge to wipe away the Weapon-Salve. A Treatise
wherein is proved, that the cure late taken up amongst us,
by applying the Salve to the Weapon, is Magicall and
unlawful! By William Foster, Mr. of Arts, and Parson of
Hedgley, in the County of Buckingham.” With a motto
from S. Augustine “ de Trinitate,” Foster, the author of

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

199

this stinging attack on Flucld and others, was born in
London, educated at Merchant Taylors’ School, and gradu-
ated from S. John’s College, Oxford. He became chaplain,
in 1628, to the Earl of Carnarvon, and soon afterwards
rector of Hedgley. He was a married man, and the bap-
tisms of ten of his children appear in Hedgley Register. A
beautifully written transcript of the older parish register,
made by him from the year 1539, is still preserved in his
old parish. Foster, who was also author of a printed
sermon on Rom. vi. 12, printed 1629, was killed in autumn
of 1643. 1 Foster’s treatise is dedicated to his patron, the
Earl of Carnarvon, “ Mr. of the King’s Hawkes, my very
good Lord.” The writer tells us that he took in hand the
matter in consequence of “ the insulting of a Jesuit and Dr.
of Divinity, J oannes Roberti,” whom he yet commends for
writing against “ this strange and magicall cure.” Another
reason was the “ commiseration of the case of some persons,
reputed religious, which use the weapon-salve. I pity
them.” He adds that, though the meanest of the “ poore
parish priests ” of England, “ placed over but a decade of
families, consisting of eight houses, so many souls as were
in Noah’s Ark,” he is not afraid to write against such
practices. Foster holds that Paracelsus was the first
inventor of “ this wonder working oyntment,” adding that
Keckerman “ saith that one Anselinus, an Italian of Parma,
was the first that brought this cure to light.” “ Which of
them soever it was, it skilleth not much, they were both
magicians conversant with the Divel.” He tells us that the
“ unguent ” consists “ of man’s mosse, blood, and fat,” and
“ hath in it a naturall Balsame. This naturall Balsame, by
the influence of the starres, cause th a sympathy between
the weapon and the wound ; and so the application of the
medicine to the one effects the cure upon the other.” Thus
witches, by anointing themselves, are carried up in the airy
heaven. Thus our weapon -salve -mongers, by anointing

1 Wood, Athense Oxon., ii. 573. Die. of Nat. Biog., xx. 64. Informa-
tion kindly supplied by the Rev. J. H. Matthews, now rector of Hedgley.

200

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

their tools, bring an influence down from the starry heaven.
Foster denies that “ the separated blood of mail hath any
life, spirit, naturall motion, or voice. The blood contained
in man’s body is not truly and properly his life. Man’s life
is his soul. . . . Neither has the blood of any man,

once fixed and dried on a weapon, any motion.” “ And for
the fresh bleeding of a murdered man at the approach of the
murderer,” that is “ a supernatural motion proceeding from
the just judgment of God.”

In “ Articulus Secundus,” Foster gives a list of the
authors who “ allow the unguent — Paracelsus, Crollius,
Baptista Porta, Cardanus, Burgravius, Gochenus — “ a Pro-
testant by religion,” who “ hath written two books to
defend the lawfulness of this case”; Helmont, Lord Bacon,
“ in his natural History “ Eightly, Doctor Flud, a Doctor
of Physicke, yet living and practizing in the famous City of
London, stands toothe and nayle for it, and in his large
works, being three folio volumes, amongst other secrets,
maketh* mention of this cure, and allowes and proves it to
be lawfull.” The passage referred to by Foster is in
“ Anatomise,” chap. ix. 236-239 — “ De Mystica Sanguinis.”
That passage treats of the weapon-salve or magnetic oint-
ment, its properties, and sympathetic operation through
the blood. The reader may like to possess the receipt. It
is as follows : —

“ Rec. Moscse seu Vinese ex Calvaria hominis diu suspensi
excrescentis, vel pro defectu eiusdem, de ossibus suspensi et
laqueo prsefocati, aeri diu expositis et concretis, simul atq. ;
Axungise humanse an. gii. Mumii, sanguinis humani, Boli
Armenici an. §i. 01 ei lini §ii. Terantur omnia in mortario
quousq ; in unguentum reducantur subtile, quod in capsulam
est reponendum, atque sagaciter pro usu reservandum.”

Fludd’s explanation of this treatment, in his “ naked
text Englished,” is as follows : —

“We see that this oyntment is compounded of things
passing well agreeing unto man’s nature ; and, consequently,
that it hath a great respect to his health and preservation,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

201

forasmuch as unto the composition thereof, wee have in
the chiefest place or rank, Blood, in which the power of life
is placed. Here, I say, is the essence of Man’s Bones
growing out of them, informe of mosse, termed Usnea :
here is his Flesh in the Mummy, which is compounded of
Flesh and Balsame ; here is the Fat of Man’s Body, which
concurreth with the rest unto the perfection of this oynt-
ment, and with all these (as is said) the Blood is mingled,
which was the beginning and food of them all, forasmuch
as in it is the spirit of life, and with it the bright Soule
doth abide, and operateth after a hidden manner. So that
the whole perfection of Man’s Body doth seeme to concurre
unto the confection of this precious oyntment. And this is
the reason why there is so great a respect and consent
betweene this oyntment and the Blood of the wounded
person. For it is most necessary that some of the Blood of
the wounded be drawne out from the depth of the wound .” 1

Foster proceeds to answer “ the authors.” “ To all
which we answer, there’s no cause so bad but hath found
some Patrons. Both Paracelsus and Crollius are detestable
characters and diabolicall.” Porta is “ of suspected credit
Cardan only speaks by report. Burgravius is full of super-
stition and impiety. He proposes to make “ a lamp of oil
made of the blood or excrements of a man,” which “ shall
burn continually without renewing.” Gochinus is also
“ full of magical! cures,” and Helmont is • “ of the same
straine.” As for “ Doctor Flud,” he “ hath the same censure
passed on him, and hath beene written against for a
magician, and I suppose this to bee one cause why he hath
printed his books beyond the seas.” On the margin it is
noted — “ Doctor Flud is written against by Marinus Mer-
sennus, Petrus Gassendus, and others for a caco-magician.”

As Fludd has placed title of “ Armiger before the doctor,
he may well teach the weapon curing medicines. His very
defence of the salve is enough to make him be suspected of

1 Squeesing of Sponge, ii. 6. Flucld’s opinion is also given in Theat.
Symph., p. 506. Of this work a new edition appeared in 1661,

202

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

witchcraft/’ with a wonder that King James (of blessed
memory) would suffer such a man to live and write in
his kingdom. Fludd’s excusing Roger Bacon, Trithemius,
Agrippa, Ficinus, “ and Fratres Rosse Crucis from being
caco-magicians,” is enough to cause him to be suspected.
“ His directions are that the weapon be left in the Unguent
pot till the Patient be cured, and that the wound be kept
cleane with a linnen cloath, wet every morning in his
urine.” A horse may also be cured “ if pricked with a
nayle, if the nayle be left sticking in the unguent pot.”
Fourteen pages of Foster’s quarto deal with Fludd’s
theories. The ingredients of the ungent, its supporters
agree, " have their beginning and aliment from the blood.
In the blood reside the vitall spirits ; in the vitall spirits
the soul after her hidden manner. This causeth the blood
to have recourse by syinpatheticall harmony to the mass of
blood in the body. For the spirit of the blood shed is
carried by the ayre (which is the carrier of the spirits of
everything) to his body. This spirit going by this ayre, in
a direct invisible line, carrieth the sanative virtue from the
anointed weapon to the wounded party.” The “ sun
beames” act in the same manner between heaven and
earth. Foster denies that “ scull-moss, or bones, mummy
and man’s fat have (though they may be medicinable) any
natural balsame or radicall humour residing in them.” He
denies that spirits or souls reside in separated blood. He
also denies “ Master Doctor’s carrier, viz., his direct invisible
line.” The comparison of the sun’s beams is not pertinent.
It is above, the “ eye ” of the whole world. As a fire cannot
burn or heat at a great distance, “ neither can the unguent
have any proportion, ’tis little in respect of the patient.”
The Doctor’s “ cold, dead, dry, corrupted blood cannot
sympathize with moyst, living, perfect blood in the body.”
“ Blood sucked by the Divell from witches, which remains
with him, and sympathizing with the blood in the witches’
bodies, changes their nature.” How can this be ? “ A

substance, corporeall, remain with the Divell, a Spirit and

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

203

incorporeal. I smell a rat. I know the Doctors intent.
He would lead us into the error of Plato, as Iamblicus,
followed by Apuleius and Theupolus, who hold that the
Divels have tenuia corpora, tenuious and slender bodies.”
He falsety attributes corporeity to devils. That this is
denied by the Church he seeks to prove by Scripture,
councils, fathers, and schoolmen. But even assuming that
there were any heat in the blood sucked from the witch,
" the coldness of the Divel’s assumed body is such it would
streight chill and extinguish it.” This is proved from
Alexander ab Alexandro, a friend of whom “ touched the
heel of a Divell that assumed the shape of a man, and found
it so cold that no ice could be compared with it.” Cardan
also, “ being touched with the hand of a Divell, found it so
cold that it was not at any hand to be endured.”

In “ Articulus Tertius,” Foster shows that many authors
have ordered different ingredients for the salve — some,
“ mosse,” grown on the “ scull of a theefe hanged ” ; others,
that on any dead man; some, “Hogg’s braines”; others,
“ wurrnes washed in wine, and burnt in a pot in a Baker’s
oven ” ; some, fat of a bear, and the fat of a boar, “ killed in
the act of generation ” ; “ others, however, killed ” ; some,
honey ; some, “ Bui’s fat.” Where are all the virtues ?
“ Surety all in the Divell. He is all and all in the busi-
nesse, and, for my part, to him I leave it all.” Seeing,
then, that the whole is confusion, and symbolizes with
witchcraft, “ seeing the first Inventor was a conjuror,
familiar with the Divell . . it cannot be lawful for an

honest and religious man to use it.” So far Master Foster.

Before giving an account of Fludd’s answer, it may be
useful to refer to two things.

First, it is not to be at all a matter of surprise that
such strange ingredients were ordered for the composition
of the salve. The pharmacopoeia then contained many
extraordinary materials. Dr Alexander Bead, one of the
greatest phj T sicians of his age, lays down distinctly, in his
“ Treatise of Wounds,” London, 1G59, that “ man’s grease

204

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

procureth a fair scarre.” 1 For curing wounds, “ living
creatures put to their helping hands ; of them you have
mummies, earth worms, snails, the fat of a horse, sheep’s
suet, swine’s grease, deer suet, goat’s grease, the extract of
a man’s blood,” &c. 2 A very interesting account of the
practice of nearly one hundred years later may be seen in
Graham’s “ Social Life in the Eighteenth Century.” 3 In
the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia of 1737, among the various
articles used in the preparation of drugs are “ the spawn of
frogs,” excrements of horse, pig, peacock, and goat ; human
blood, fat, and urine ; human skull and mummy ; juice of
wood lice, congested toad, viper’s flesh and “ bisket bread,
boiled into a broth ” ; oil of earth worms, vipers’ broth, and
brick oil were retained in the English pharmacopoeia of
1795. In a chirurgeon’s account, dated at Edinburgh,
March 6th, 1734, in the writer’s possession, there is an
entry of “ a glass with an ounce and half of oil of Eggs,
three times to Robert.” This at least is more comfortable
than the “ vinum millepedatum,” made by taking two
ounces of live millepeds or slaters, “ bruise them a little,
and pour upon them a pint of Rhenish wine.” This is said
to be “ of great service in a case of jaundice.” 4

Second. The other point requiring explanation is the
constant charge of being a “ magician,” fulminated against
Fludd and other nature students.

“ A Treatise of the Foure degenerate Sonnes,” being the
fourth volume of the “ works of Mr Jon Weemse, of Lath-
ocker, in Scotland, and Prebend of Durham,” dedicated to
William, Lord Bishop of London, 4to, 1636, is full on this
point. The second of the “ degenerate Sonnes ” is “ the
magician.” In the fifth section of that part, the author
inquires — “ What is magicke, and who are magitians ?”
He is one who uses “ medses [methods] which are only
proper to God, either in curing of diseases or working-
other strange effects'.” He “ uses these signes which Satan
and he had agreed upon.” J udicial astrology is a devilish
1 p. 428. 2 p. 308. 3 ii., p. 213. 4 Graham, ii. 215.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

205

art, injurious to God and to proper science. Yet the
author had some odd notions ; for instance — •“ If the wild
bull be tyed to the figg tree, it calmes him ; the devil, by
such means, can hinder the creatures ” ; and that, when the
devil “ lies with a witch, his nature is cold, as they eon-
fesse.” Yet Satan “ can transport the bodies of men out of
one place to another, and he can strike the body with
diverse diseases.” “ Satan tempted the woman first ;
therefore he prevails most with that sexe.” Sorcerers and
witches are of this degenerate race of magicians. All such
should be put to death, and lose “ their temporal estate and
inheritance.” They are “ excluded from the kingdome of
God.” Satan deludes them, sometimes in their under-
standing faculty, sometimes in their irascible faculty,
sometimes in their concupiscible, and sometimes in their
sensitive faculties. To promise to the devil is a great sin,
but to bind ourselves by an oath to him is “ the greatest
sinne ” of all. A magician is therefore one in covenant
with the devil. Indeed, some are so intimate with Satan
that they resemble serpents, “ when they are enchanted,
running together in a knot, wimpling themselves one with
another.”

Foster’s pamphlet was issued in 1631. In the same
year Fludd’s answer appeared. It was printed at London
for Nathanael Butter, and the title runs thus: — “ Doctor
Fludd’s answer to M. Foster, or the Squeesing of Pastor
Foster’s Sponge, ordained by him for the wiping away of
the Weapon-salve : wherein the Spongebearer’s immodest
carriage and behaviour towards his bretheren is detected,
the bitter flames of his Slanderous reports are, by the
sharpe vineger of Truth, corrected and quite extinguished :
and lastly, the virtuous validity of his Sponge, in wiping
away the Weapon Salve, is crushed out and clean abolished.”
The complete title will be found in the Bibliography. The
volume is about four times the length of Foster’s pamphlet.
It was afterwards issued in Latin — “ Goudie Fxcudebat
Petrus Rammazenius, mdcxxxviii., folio,” and in the same

206

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

style as the Latin “ Philosophia Moysaica,” thirty folio
pages. The complete Latin title will also be found in the
Bibliography.

On the back of the English title is a table of contents : —
“ This Small Treatise is divided into 3 members, whereof
the 1 Taketh away and utterly disannuleth those scandal-
ous reports which Master Foster hath * . . layd unto my

charge. 2. in 3. chapters. 1. answering every objection
made. 2. Other proves lawfulness of the Cure. Lastly,
demonstrateth the mystery of the weapon salve’s cure by a
Theophilosophicall discourse. The Last member doth
answer each particular objection against a certain healing
expressed by me in my Mysticall Anatomy.” Follows a
preface : “ To the well-minded and impartiall Reader.”
Fludd says that, for different reasons, he did not intend “ to
have stirred up the puddle of this mine adversaries spirit” ;
but his having set up “ in the night time two of the frontis-
pieces or Titles of his booke as a challenge, one each post of
my doore,” he was forced, against his will, to take up the
matter, and “ quell the unsatiable appetite of his salve-
devouring sponge, and squeeze or crush it, so that it shall
be constrained to vomit up againe the wholesome child of
Nature and Gentle friend unto mankind (I mean the
Weapon-Salve) which it hath drunk or sucked up, and
leave it in its wonted splendor and reputation among
men.”

Fludd thinks Foster’s jest very unseasonable. “He is
called by Franciscus Lanovius, Medico-miles, a Souldier
Physitian, and a weapon-bearing Doctor.” “ I will express
the cause why I put the Esquier before the Doctor. It is
for two considerations : first, because I was an Esquier, and
gave armes before I was a Doctor, as being a Knight’s
Sonne ; Next, because, though a Doctor addeth gentilitie to
the person who by descent is ignoble, yet it is the opinion
of most men, and especially of Heraulds, that a gentleman
of antiquitie is to be preferred before any one of the first
Head or Degree.”

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

207

It appears that Foster’s hither was a barber. Fludd
then goes on to rebut the charge of being a magician,
showing that in all his writings he had, “ in the conclusion,
ascribed the whole glorie unto that sole and only Spirit,
which is the Prince and Lord of Angels and Spirits; I
professed to write generally of all, but as I went along, I
distinguished the Good from the Evil, that men might the
better beware of, and refuse, the one and make choice of
the other.” He then shows the absurdity of Foster’s
argument, that he being “ accused for a magitian by Marinus
Mersennus, his defence of the weapon-salve is enough to
make it suspected. As well say — ‘ Doctor Fludd is sus-
pected for a magitian ; Ergo, the Purge of R-ubarbe, which
he prescribeth ... is magical 1.

In the “ Second Member,” Fludd proceeds to answer the
question, “ Whether the curing of wounds by the Weapon-
Salve bee witchcraft and unlawful to be used.” Foster
“ confidently affirmeth it.” The simple fact that it is not
mentioned in Holy Scripture, is.no argument against the
salve ; otherwise, “ Causticke, viscicatory healing, fluxing,
and other externall medicines daily used,” might also be
considered magical. “ God worketh all and in all.” The
argument that the salve works unnaturally can be rebutted
by the fire heating “ ad distans ” ; the lightning out of the
cloud blasting “ ad distans ” ; the loadstone doth operate
upon the iron “ ad distans.” There is therefore no need for
causes working to have “ vertuall contact.”

This is the true mystery of the question : — “ The In-
fluence, therefore, of life issuing from the Microcosmicall or
human Sonne, and assisting, revivifying, and multiplying
by little and little the hidden graine of life in the ampu-
tated bloud now in the oyntment, and also exciting the
potential or sopified Spirit in the oyntment ; no otherwise,
then, we see in the Sunne of Heaven to stirre up, in the
spring time, the Spirits of the earth, which the cold winter
had stupefied and benummed, leaveth not to operate be-
tweene both extremes, untill the party doth recover.”

208

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Foster’s argument, that the angels of heaven could not
work at such a distance, gives away his case, for if they
could not, neither could the angels of hell, to whom he
associates any effect which the salve may have. The Jews
did not attribute the curing properly to the Pool of Beth-
esda ; so do not those who believe in the salve ; they give
hearty thanks to God for the “ blessed gift of miraculous
healing He hath bestowed on the ungent.” Fludd then
proceeds to answer the question, “ Whether the cure of
wounds by the weapon-salve bee witchcraft, and unlawfull
to be used.” He denies it to be unlawful, theologically, and
by the purest natural philosophy, and so is “ to do his best
to squeeze out of his formidable sponge the weapon-salve’s
reputation, which, like a cormorant, it hath devoured and
sucked up.”

The ointment is the gift of God, and so it is called by
Paracelsus “ Donum Dei.” The apostle tells us that there
are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit ; and the same
worketh all in all. “ It is by one and the same spirit that
gifts of healing are given.” It is God, not the Devil, of
whom it is said, “ He sent his word and healed them — ergo,
all healing and vivifying “ power cometh from Him.” On
the other hand, the work of the devil “ is Death and
Destruction.” There may be intermediaries, but it is the
“ Lord who maketh all things.” Without God’s act each
creature is but a dead stock, and this power of God is not
merely operative in vulgar and manifest actions, but also in
arcane and hidden things. By whom does God execute
His will ? By the devil ? No, this is performed by Jesus,
the Catholick Saviour, who is the head of all powers. He
has the office of life, preservation, and health. So, then, as
there is no authority in holy writ to warrant any curing
effect or art by the devil, the cure done by the weapon-
salve is not done by him. This is well illustrated by the
case of the Pharisees, who said — “ This man casteth out
Devils by Beelzebub, the prince of the Devils, and who
were silenced by Christ.” So, then, “ blessed (I say with

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

209

the prophet David) be the Lord God of Israel, who onely
doeth all wonders, and there effecteth this wonderful
manner of curing, which passeth man’s understanding. To
him, therefore, be ascribed for it all praise and honour for
ever more.”

Fludd next proceeds to “ prove, in a more evident
manner, and that by Sacred Philosophy, that God’s vivify-
ing Spirit, moving on the Ayry Organ of the World, doth,
by his vertuous application or aspect to the weapon-salve,
effect the cure of such as are wounded.” “ The essentiall
form or life of every creature in this world must depend on
this spirit, and have his centrall seate of Activity in propor-
tion more or lesse from the Agent or Agents, who, as it
acteth in the center of all things, so it is even continual
unto the circumference, that is, from Alpha, or the center,
unto Omega, or the circumference, for else would there bee
a division of the divine Essence, which is impossible ; and
for this cause God is said to fill all, and to operate all in
all.” We are to observe in the cure by the Salve three
principal things — “ the partie wounded, the oyntment
curing, and lastly, the occult affinity, which raigneth in the
blood, and issueth from the blood into the oyntment.”
“ The wounded party, then, may be rightly compared to the
world, and therefore is called a little world, namely, of
spirit and body.” But God’s goodness extends to every
creature, for all proceed from God. This extends to
“ animall, vegetable, and minerall composition.” The case,
for instance, of “ the attraction by the Iron, by the Load-
stone, or of Straw by Amber, cannot be explained.” If the
divine Spirit of God was not in man he would be dead — lf a
snuffe — a nothing.” Blood is the seat of the spirit of life.
Of old the blood even of beasts was forbidden to be eaten.
Hermes truly says, " Man’s soule is carried in this manner :
the men tall beame is carried in the soule, the soule in the
spirit or ayre, the spirit in the body ; the spirit, being-
dispersed through the veynes and artery s, doth stirre up
and move the living creature in every part.” God both

210

DOC'1 OR ROBERT *LUDD.

gives and takes away life. “ The incorruptible spirit of the
Lord (saith Solomon) is in all things/’ Unless He acts all
is stopped dead and senseless. The winds are animated by
His breath. So as there are fourfold winds in the greater
world — the macrocosm — so there is the same kind of oper-
ation in the “ created spirit of the lesser world, or man.”
Did He not speak so by His prophet — “ Come, spirit, from
the foure winds, as if he should say, come, 0 thou Catholick
and Universall Spirit of life of the world, and doe thy office
in vivifying and making the dead to live again.” In the
blood, therefore, “ the soule of the creature is the spiritual
virtue of the foure winds.” As the northerly blast is
congealing, so in the spirit is the power of converting itself
into potential congealing property. Let us then apply this.
The wound is a violation of the work which the spirit of
life did effect. The blood, though voided out of the wound,
“ yet retaineth in it this spirit of life.” Its power is more
contracted from the circumference to the centre, and this
power we see remaining, and shown in the miracle wrought
by the bones of Eliseus — causing the dead to rise from
death to life. The blood being taken from the wounded
and smeared on the weapon, or on some other implement,
yet, though castles, hills, water, and gross air are between
the ointment and the wound, we are not to suppose that
the activity of God can be limited. The spirit filleth the
whole earth, and cannot be limited in “ extensive dimen-
sion, nor yet hindered in his passage by any intermediate
obstacle.” Both the blood, therefore, in the person
wounded and that on the weapon “ doe sympathise
together, even as wee see one thred extended from one
end of a chamber unto the other.” As in the apparently
dead seed there is life, so is there life in the apparently
dead coagulated blood, and “ the oyntment is the good
ground in which the bloudy graine doth lye and rise again ;
therefore, without doubt, there is the selfesame relation of
union between this ointment with the blood in it and
the wounded man’s nature as is between the string of

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

211

one lute that is proportioned unto the other in the same
tone.”

In Chapter V. we have “ certain Histories touching the
effecting of the cure.” The making of the ointment was

o o

performed in the presence of Fludd’s brother-in-law, Sir
Nicholas Gilbourne, and Captain Stiles, “ in the company of
very good and learned divines,” who saw all the ingre-
dients apart, and then saw an apothecary compound them
together without any kind of superstitious action, where it
was generally adjudged to be a lawful medicine. “ A box
of this oyntment was bestowed on my brother-in-law ;
what wholesome effects it hath wrought I will, in a word,
relate unto you, and that verbatim as I have it under his
own hand.”

At “ Chatam, in Kent,” the servant of “ one Poppee, a
shipwright, who was cut so deepe as it could passe ” with
his axe “ into the instep.” This man was brought to Dr
Fludd, who declined to meddle with it, “ onely I advised
him to wash his wound with his own urine, which he did.”
Next day Fludd “ dressed the axe, and after dressing it I
did send to know how the fellow was. He had been in
pain all night, but said that now he was at ease. The next
morning, coming into my study, I struck e my Rapier
downe upon the axe, the hilt whereof s truck e the oyntment
off from the axe, which, when I found, I sent to understand
how hee did ? and had answer that he had been exceeding

well that night, but this morning he was in great paine,
and so continued ; I therefore anointed the axe againe, and
then sent againe unto him, and heard that hee was then at
great ease ; and within seaven dayes was perfectly well.”
Other cases of healing are detailed. One relates the history
of Brent Deering, son of Master Finch Deering, a boy who
ran a reed into his leg when fishing in a pond at Charing.
In this case a knitting needle was inserted into the wound,
afterwards dressed, and in three days the boy was better.
A third instance is of one at Windsor, who cut his back,
falling on a “ sithe.” The “ sithe ” was forthwith “ sent to

212

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

London to Captain Stiles, who anonyted it, wrapped it np,
and laid it aside. Not long after there came one to demand
for Doctor Stiles ; the Minister, who, understanding that it
was about a thanks-giving for a cure done by the weapon-
salve, sent him unto the Captaine, he desires to speak e
with him. The Captain being at dinner, or supper, with
divers of his friends, sent for the fellow into the dining
roome, and there he told the Captaine that the wounded
man did acknowledge of him his life under God, assuring
him that the dangerous wound did heale apace after hee
had sent his Sithe unto him, and was thorouly cured
without any other application. And for a part of recom-
pence, and to expresse his thankfulnesse, hee presented him
with a side of Red Deere.”

In the succeeding chapter, a short account is given of a
“ certain noble Personage of this Kingdom e, very religious
and learned, who at the first scoffed at this kind of cure as
a thing impossible.” Captain Stiles converted him, how-
ever, and after consulting with a learned divine and a well
esteemed doctor of physic, had the ointment compounded
by Mr Cooke, apothecary, and had “ prosperous success ”
with it, at the least “ a thousand persons were cured.”
Foster, it is insinuated, wrote at the instigation of the
“ chirurgeons,” being a barber chirurgeon’s son ; hence,
“ Hire lacryime.” Like the silversmiths of Ephesus, “ they
lose such a masse of practice as would well have stuffed
their pouches.”

In the seventh chapter, a story is told of Sir Walter
Ralegh : — “ The last time the Lady Ralegh was at East-
well, at the Countesse of Winch elsev her house, wee,
falling into some discourse concerning the Sympatheticall
oyntment, sliee told me that her late husband. Sir Walter
Ralegh, would suddenly stop the bleeding of any person
(albeit hee were farre and remote from the party) if he had
a handkitcliers, or some other piece of linnen dipped in
some of the blood of the party sent unto him.” So, Master
Foster need not “ crowe like a cocke on his own dunirhill.”

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

213

The truth is, “ the action of curing by the weapon-salve is
meerely natural l, and no way magical 1 or diabolicall.”

In the “ third member ” of the book, the more precise
attack by Foster is disposed of. “ Here the sponge is
squeezed.” It is not without a very mystical and secret
cause that our Saviour took an especial notice of salt. “Ye
arc the salt of the earth.” Where he means the spiritual
man, in whom is the breath of life, so the very essence of
“ the animall creatures’ blood in general 1 consisteth in this
Balsamicke Salt.” Even though separated from the life of
man, the salt is resting “ in the center.” Man’s bones
proceed originally from the Blood, for the preparatory,
seminary vessels that alter and purify it “ have their issues
and heads out of the Great Artery and Vena Cava.” It is
evident, therefore, that God operateth all (as says Job),
beginning radically in the blood, and for this reason the
Apostle says rightly, “ in him we live, we move, and have
our being.”

In the seventh chapter, “ the whole subject is in a few
words contracted and abbreviated.” As the devil can cure
nothing, all cures are wrought by “ the Merciful God in His
benignity, and that by His word.” The devil cannot be
made the user of God’s Word. “ In the hand of God is the
life of every living creature and the spirit of all flesh.”
The “ Epilogue ” finishes Fludd’s treatise. In it he remarks,
“ I would have my well-minded country-men to know that,
had not this rude and uncivill Adversary of mine most
untruely and disgracefully calumniated mec, and laid,
without any just occasion, unto my charge the unsufferable
crime of Witchcraft or Magick, which is odious both to
God and Man, I would not thus farre have hindred my
greater business and more weighty occasions to have
satisfied his unreasonable and immodest appetite.”

Foster’s style is sharper than Fludd’s. He speaks
cpigramraatically, whereas Fludd is often involved in his
sentences. But Foster rather gave himself away when he
attributed the supposed cures to the power of the devil.

214

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Flucld hits hard there, and answers his opponent. The case
was stronger than Foster thought. No doubt most of the
cures were wrought by the unaided influence of Nature
herself. The effect of simple dressings and rest was relief.
At the same time, it is to be remembered, as Fludd remarks,
that the attraction of the iron by the loadstone, of the
straw by the amber, are matters inexplicable. The action
of the magnetic needle is still more wonderful. Men are at
times on the veiy brink of discoveries, when Nature seems
to draw back and wrap herself again in her veil of
mystery.

CHAPTER XIX.

FLUDD’S MEDICAL WORKS : MYSTICAL AND PRACTICAL.

The Medical Works — Fuller’s opinion of Fludd — The “ Anatomise Amphi-
theatrum,” 1623 — Dedicated to Bishop Thornburgh — His History
and Researches — Bread — Cuts — Wheat, Wine, and Oil — Nature a
Chemist — Copperplates — The Anatomy of the Body — The Eye —
Table Illustrative — Mystic Anatomy — The four points have re-
ference to different parts of the body — The Blood — The air of the
Macrocosm — Eating of Blood — Heart, Tree of Life — Satan’s Power
— The Human Sperm — The Generative Principle — A Cloud or
Breath — Michael, the Power of God — The Brain — 1629 — “ Medicina
Catholica ” dedicated to Paddy — His History — Connection with
Maier — Cause of Disease — Preservation of Life — Plates — Nature of
the Eternal Monad — The Super-Cselestial Life — Cabalistic influences
— Influence of the Stars — The True Light — Prayers for Health —
Effect of Elements on Health — Rules, 1631 — “Integrum Morborum
Tractatus ” — Continuation of last book — Picture of Fludd in later
life — Illustrations — Dedication to Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury
— Laws of Rarity and Density — Experiments — Meteors — Kinds
of Disease — Stellary influences — Four Compactions — Geomantia —
Divination per Urinam — Diagrams — “The “Pulsus” — Contents,
Plate.

T^LUDD was admitted a fellow of the London College of
Physicians in 1609, having previously graduated in
medicine at Oxford. He was censor of the London College
in 1618, 1627, 1633, and 1634. 1

Fuller tells us that “ his influence on the minds of his
patients produced a factor natural which aided the working
of his drugs.” At anyrate his success was considerable.

Some notice must be given of Fludd’s medical works,
but, being now of small importance, the reference will

1 Munk, Roll of Physicians of London, i. 150-3.

216

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

be short. The first medical work was his “ Anatomise
Amphitheatrum Efhgie Triplici, more et condi ti one varia,
designatum.” This was issued by Theodore de Bry at
Frankfurt in 1623. It is a folio of 285 pages. To it is
appended the “ Monochord um Mundi Symphoniacum ” —
the answer to Kepler, referred to in a previous chapter.
This latter work is dated “ anno, 1623.” It has a running
pagination with the other — in all, 331 pages. At the end
the author dates his “Vale, Die 9. Decemb. Anni, 1621.”
The “ Anatomia ” is dedicated to the venerable and reverend
John Thornburgh, Bishop of Worcester, whom Fludd calls his
singular friend, and who possesses the treasure of treasures,
and in whom is the light of the world. Distracted by the
crowd of ignorant persons, Fludd finds but one in a thou-
sand who is really a worshipper of Nature. Despising the
vanity and derision of the world, in all his peregrinations
he turns to that divine centre whence the coruscation of
divine light emanates. Pearls cast to swine, and the bread
of the children cast to dogs, may be a fit picture of the use
to which the truth is put b}^ the profane. He turns to his
friend, and, as an offering of love, to him dedicates this
work. To such an one, who is a profound student “ in re
chemica,” he can recall the sapience of the ancients, “ Nihil,
aliquid, omnia.” The dedication was just and proper.
Thornburgh was not furnished merely with “ accomplish-
ments beseeming a gentleman, a dean, and a bishop, but,
above all, he was much commended for his great skill in
chymistry, a study but seldom followed in his time ; and
’tis thought that, by some helps from it, it was that he
attained to so great an age.” He died at the age of 94. 1

The first part of the “ Anatomia ” treats of the nature
and history of wh eaten bread. On the fourth page we
have three ears of wheat labelled “ Panis Vulgaris,” and a
round cake labelled “ Panis terrestris,” at its side a flaming
piece labelled “ Panis cmlestis.” Fludd also treats of the

1 Wood’s A thence Oxon., iii. 3-7.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

217

importance of wheat from a medical point of view, and how
its use in different forms conduces to the cure of disease.
There is also a mystic explanation. Wheat, wine, and oil
have, as the necessaries of life, a reference to the Three
Persons ot the adorable Trinity. The tithe of corn, wine,
and oil was not to be eaten at home by the Israelites, but
“ before the Lord thy God, in the place which the Lord thy
God shall choose.” — Deut. xii. 17. The curse, “ in the sweat
of thy brow shalt thou eat bread,” has a contrast in the
heavenly and spiritual bread ; it is grace and wisdom —
that feast referred to by the spouse in Canticles, “ Let my
beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.”
Nature is the greatest of chemists, and her laboratory is
beneath, in the earth. A number of “ experiments ” follow.
Hyle is the first material, and from it proceed, in a measure,
all things. Then we come to the account of man’s creation,
and so to the anatomy of man in general. This should be
considered in three divisions. The abdomen is first taken,
in consideration of which four things are to be noted — its
name, its composition, its place, and its use. The copper-
plates which illustrate the “Anatomia” are skilfully
produced, representing all parts of the human body with
aptness and accuracy. The explanations are given by
elaborate sets of tables referring to each part. The effect
of the constellations on the different organs of the bod}^ is
not omitted. These are laid down according to the different
signs with great exactness. The abdomen, being the
“ centre,” is first dealt with. After follow other parts— the
heart, the liver, the diaphragm, then the harder parts ;
finally, in the third division, the head, skull, and brain.
Pictures are given representing the lobes of the brain, the
forms of the skull, and of the nerves in the head. Next, the
vertebrae of the spine are explained and illustrated. A
considerable part of the work refers to the anatomy of the
eye and its diseases. The whole of the book, to the 19(Jth
page, consists of tables, of which the following, one of the
shortest, will be a specimen : —

218

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

CAPUT III.— DE GLANDULIS OCULI.

'Substantia est mollis, ut illse Panchrece.

Harum-

Numerus est binarius, nam

/ una superius disponitur
t altera inferius situm suum habet.

Utilitas scu offieium est illarum lachrymarum stillas continere,
quas misericordia aut tristitia ducti extorquere solent.

Porro etiani k natura ordinantur ad oculorum tutelam.

The next portion of the work is “ De Anatomia Mystica
in libros quinque distributa.” A preface precedes this part,
in which the occult greatness of man and the causes of his
exaltation and depression are referred to. It commences
with a sentence from Mirandola, in which the greatness of
man is extolled, the soul being heaven, the body earth, and
the spirit the chain which binds both together. The body,
or external man, is the temple of the Holy Ghost, and man
being made but a little lower than the angels, all things are
put under his feet. His power extends according to his
progress in divine knowledge. To him hath wisdom “ given
certain knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know
how the world was made and the operation of the elements;
the beginning, ending, and midst of the times ; the alter-
ation of the turning of the sun, the change of seasons, the
circuit of years, and the positions of the stars.” On the
other hand, polluted by sin, “ man that is born of a woman
is of few days and full of trouble.”

From the four cardinal points issue the four winds.
Two have mystic reference to the spleen and liver.
Mererim is the " prince of the powers of the air on the
other hand, the divine breath is life and health. “ Thou
sendest forth thy spirit, they are created, and thou renewest
the face of the earth.” At page 214 a curious plate is
o-iven, showing the effect, “ ventoruin microcosmicorum.”
The opinions of Pythagoras, Plato, and Aristotle in regard
to man’s position on the universe are next discussed. All
diseases proceed from malign influences and demons who
have in subjection “ the power of the air.” From the east
fiery spirits or influences proceed, from the west aery

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

219

spirits, earth spirits from the north, and watery spirits and
influences from the south.

The next book treats of the mystic anatomy of the
blood. Commencing with the doctrine of Hermes, that man
is the son of the world, and that the world is born of God,
Fludd goes on to state that man is composed of the purest
spermatic parts of the world, its essence, and that he was
produced originally by a sort of generation not dissimilar
to that of succeeding times. There is, therefore, a close
relation between the air of the macrocosm and the blood of
man. Just as the wheat is the finest product of the
elements, so is man produced from the elements of the
higher sphere. The blood is the life. The divine " aer,” or
breath, being taken away — when “ Thou hidest thy face
they are troubled,” but “ when thou takest away their
breath they die and return to their dust.” Man’s admirable
nature and economy may be compared to the laboratory of
the alchemist, the different organs and receptacles in his
body compared with the vases and instruments of the
chemist. As he works in his laboratory — purifies, sub-
tilises, and brings matter to perfection — so in the living
human body the gross material of food, &c., is purified,
changed, and brought into the red tincture, blood, the
life-giving fluid and medicine. The chief instruments are
the liver, the semen, the heart, and the brain. And so,
indeed, is it with Nature in the macrocosm, in the earth, in
the air, and by the influence and through the effect of the
four purifying winds. Fludd draws out these ideas at some
length, and with much ingenuity. But he goes further.
The air itself is full of mystic and wonderful beings, souls,
demons, angels, and other mysterious invisible existences.
In like manner the blood, which is the “ aer ” of the micro-
cosmos, has also “ life.” Thus was the eating of it strictly
forbidden by God in the book of Leviticus. Trismegistus
has the same opinion, and Empedocles says truly that the
strength of life is in the heart, in the form of blood. The
heart is the tree of life in the midst. The fruit, that is

220

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

blood, is forbidden to be eaten. But as evils are wrought
in the macrocosmos by malignant spirits, tempests, and
pestilences ; so in the microcosmos, the blood, if polluted by
the incursion of evil powers, has the same effect on the
body of man. Malignant and destructive powers obtain
admission to the spiritual body of man, and these become
the causes of disease. This was seen and understood in the
time of our Saviour. Even so far back as the time of Job,
this power was given to Satan. The very same spirit of
antipathy is seen in animals, as between the wolf and the
lamb. Again, sympathy is shown, as between the magnet
and iron. Sympathy, which binds all together, is the
highest light. It is the fire of love and eternal peace.
Antipathy is the production of the devil and those on
whom he fixes his chains. Human blood is either sanguine,
choleric, phlegmatic, or melancholy. Psellus treats of six
kinds of demons — those having the qualities of fire, air,
water, earth, subterranean. On the other hand, in the
Apocalypse, we read of four angels standing at the four
corners of the world, holding the four winds from these
points. From these the four different kinds of nature in
blood proceed.

The next book treats of the material of which human
sperm is composed, and of its mystic explanation. This is
given at length, and in plain ess of expression. Albertus
Magnus declares that the semen is nothing else but super-
fluous alimentary matter. Quoting Ezek. xxxvii. 5, " I
will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live,” he
lays down the maxim that, as mentioned in the 9th verse
of the same chapter, the “ breath ” comes from “ the four
winds” So it is to be believed that the generative
principle is a cloud or breath, naturally culled from all the
winds. The semen itself is of a twofold nature, external
and visible, of a pure elementary substance, and an invisible
principle descending from above by the medium of the air.
Angelic powers exercise their influence on the brain, and
the most ancient authors hold quite correctly that the

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

221

seminal fluid is derived from all the different parts of the
microcosmos. Michael, the Archangel, the power of God, so
controls the divine breath, when once it is sent forth, as
actuallv to have an immediate effect on the generation of
mankind. The mystic teaching here, certainly very extra-
ordinary, can be considered by such readers as know that
the four winds are really the powers of four angels. The
human life is “ Deiform,” and man was made in the form or
matrix of God. In the last chapter of this part it is
explained what unlawful acts produce, how demons are
allowed to have power over winds and clouds, and that
such powers are fed and supplemented by the improper
acts of men.

The next section treats of the mystic anatomy of the
heart in seven chapters. The heart is the sun of the
microcosm. It is placed in the east, and the orient
wind or power has its regulation. It is more. As
the sun is the seat of the world's soul, so “cor sedes
anima humana,” all passion comes from the dilation or
contraction of the heart. The contraction is that
“ hardening of the heart" which was Pharaoh’s
doom.

The last section treats of the mystic anatomy of the
brain, or the microcosmic heaven of heavens. In the
concluding chapter, the Hebrew mystery of the bone,
“Luz,” is explained.

In 1G29 appeared at Frankfurt, Fludd’s “ Medieina
Catholica, seu Mysticum artis Medicandi sacrarium. In
tom os divisum duos. In quibus Metaphysica et Physica
tam Sanitatis tuendse, quam morborum propulsandorum
ratio pertractatur.” It is dedicated to Sir William Paddy,
M.D., also a graduate of S. John’s, Oxford, and a school-
fellow at Merchant Taylors’ with the famous Bishop
Andrews. Paddy was physician to King James I., to
whom he forecast his death some days before it happened.
Paddy was a great friend of Archbishop Laud’s, and gave
an organ to S. John’s College. He had a thesis “ whether

222

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

the morals of nurses are imbibed by infants with the
milk.” 1

The “ Medicina Catholica ” is divided into two books.
The first treats of health and of the cause and nature of
disease, the second of the method of treatment and cure.
The first division treats of the beginning and preservation
of life, the second of the origin of disease, of its cause, of
the different kinds of disease. Treatment and cures are
spoken of under the divisions of super-ctelestial, celestial,
elementary, and the use of magnetism. Medicines are
either divine, heavenly, or elementary. It is God alone that
“ has power of life and death.” “ Thou leadest to the gates
of hell and bringest up again.” A hierographieal plate
represents in shade Dionysius, and, in a bright showing of
Apollo, restoration to health. In the sun is the life, and
that sun, prefigured by Apollo, is Christ. The following
“ Carmen” material to the matter in hand is ofiven. Its

ingenuity will apologise for its insertion : —

I nter cuncta micans I gniti Sydera cceli I

E xpellit tenebras E toto Phoebus ut orb E

S ic ccecas removet I E S V S caliginis umbra S

V ivificans que simul V ero prsecordia motu V

S olem Iustitioe S ese probat esse beati S

An extraordinary hieroglyph explains mystically “ pro-
pugnaculi salutis.” God created man in His own image,
but his enemies — the devil, death, and disease — have come
into the world. Man, kneeling in the centre, is addressing
Jehovah in the words of the Ps. xix. 31 — “ Oh, how great is
thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear
thee.” The answer is returned from the sacred name, on
another label — Cf There shall no evil befal thee, neither
shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall
give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy
ways.”— Ps. xci. 10, 11. The angels of the four winds hold
these winds by mouth-bridles. Raphael, Uriel, Michael,

1 Die. Nat. Biog., in voce. See notice of bis portrait, Evelyn’s Diary,
3 Oct. 1662. It is to be noted that Maier dedicates his “ Arcana Arcanis-
sima” to his “ patron and friend,” Sir William Paddy, then President of
the London College of Physicians.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

223

and Gabriel are fighting against hideous monsters, repre-
senting disease and death. This is followed by an
“ Exordium, sive prooemium,” in which the author, in a
sort of hymn or address, seeking the divine assistance,
enquires into the difficult and profound question as to the
nature of the Eternal Monad, returning thanks to the
Eternal for all His benefits. Impressed with a deep sense
of the wonders in creation, the author adores the everlasting
Father, who has clearly made Himself known in the
Eternal Son. All exist in Him, all power is His, and the
greatest miracle of all is the Incarnation. Fludd’s idea of
eternal existence and energy is well expressed in this
sentence, “ Quare tu solus es sola monas, unica et primaria
unitas, principiorum binorum radix et origo.”

The treatise itself commences with the author’s ideas
of the super-cselestial life, of the archetypal world, the
intellectual, of the ternary “ monas ergo seternitatem ; seter-
nitas mundum, mundus tempus, et tempus generationem
continet.” The disquisition on the Monad is followed by a
chapter “ in quo Dyadis natura descutitur.” The nature of
light and darkness is then explained. The question of the
origin of evil is discussed. God’s manifestation is by light,
and the whole history of the nature of the macro- and
microcosms is again gone into. The soul of the world is
the fount of the life of the creatures.

The second book of this treatise is “ De metaphysica
vitae et sanitatis ratione.” Other chapters treat of the direct-
ing powers of angels upon the health of the human body,
of the different Cabalistic influences, all of which have been
already referred to. The elementary powers also work
great effects, and, indeed, preside over health and combat
disease. The four archangels have just been spoken of.
They have their opposites in the army of Satan — Samael,
Alzazel, Azael, Mahazael. Under these are legions of evil
spirits. Angels, good and bad, have the mission of preser-
vation and destruction, health and disease. The Cherubim,
the thunder, and the winds are the very messengers of God

224

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

(2 Sam., xxii. 11-16). Thus, in the macrocosm, we find
power exerted through rain, snow, wind, and the like, all
proceeding from the treasury of God — ministers of His
severity ; and, as by the invocation of the prophet Ezekiel,
the Divine Breath came through the winds, so we see
that on the microcosm the same powers of God holds good,
and the very generative power in man proceeds from a
spiritual and central gift, composed of subtile and elementary
matter, and is drawn into the microcosm from the four
corners of the earth.

The next book treats of the influence of the stars and
heavenly bodies on the health of mankind. A knowledge
of astrology is therefore necessary in the medical profession.
The influence of the planets is now treated of. Fludd
begins with the watery influence of Venus. Then follow
the influences of the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Saturn, and
Mars. The effects of winds come next. That of “ Boreas ”
on the body is softening and relaxing, helps digestion,
promotes generation, corrects bad vapours, and prevents
putrefaction. “ Auster,” on the other hand, promotes
sweat, helps tumours, &c., opens the pores of the body.
Subsolanus (ventus orientalis) is very healthful. It assists
in the preservation of the body. The salubrity prevents
putridity, and temperates a hot and choleric nature.
Ventus occidentals is specially healthful towards evening.
It inclines animal nature to generation, and assists pro-
duction, but in the morning it is not so healthy. All these
influences, starry, planetary, windy, &c., are applied in a
very elaborate scheme to human life and ills. Even colour,
sound, much more heat and cold, have their effects.
Elaborate classified tables and diagrams give particulars.
All miseries have followed from the quenching of the
heavenly light in man. Moses, Job, Solomon, all declare
that the Divine Light will begin to irradiate man’s soul
when he obeys God. The light divine, quenched by the
fall, caused the body to be the minister of disease and death.
The justice of God is that heavenly light of wisdom,

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

225

perpetual and immortal, and is life eternal. To know God is
life eternal. The ears of God are open to our penitential
prayers. Humility precedes glory. From penitence and
humility spring faith and hope. The next part of the
treatise relates to the mystery and effect of prayer. Prayer
is a ray from the Divine Light in man, which passes on to
God. Man is but a little lower than the angels. His glory
and honour are from God. By means of the Divine
Wisdom, man can know of all things. The true light-
giving wisdom is the most glorious of all gifts. Praver is
the act of a mind agitated to penitence through the shining
of the Spirit. Thus Hannah before Fli — “ I have poured
out my soul before the Lord.” A prepared soul is required.
A man must not tempt God. The preparation is internal.
David exclaims — “ I am poor and needy, hear me.”
Humility is an essential to success. External aids are
prostration, fasting, tears flowing freely, an afflicted heart.
The prayer of sinners is hateful to God. Many think they
will be heard for their much speaking. Prayer is of two
sorts — petition, and giving of thanks. Daniel speaks well,
“ ter in die, flectens genua, orabat.” Other examples are
those of Nehemiah, Jacob, and Tobias.

But the name of Christ is the name of grace, the name
of Jesus the name of glory. By the grace of baptism —
wherein is received the fiery unction of the Spirit — which
Christ also received, we are then called to follow His
example.

The next book contains a series of prayers for preser-
vation in health, and especially in time of pestilence.
Prayers need not be long. A very apt example is given in
the book of Tobit, when Tobias and Sara pray for preserva-
tion and safety. Two prayers, eucharistic or gratulatory,
for preservation amid pestilence, and for prolongation of
life, are inserted.

The next portion of the treatise refers to the influence
of the constellations on the health of man, referring to the
different temperaments, choleric and sanguine, phlegmatic

226

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

and melancholy, with their appropriate astral influences.
These powers have influence also on sight, hearing,
smelling, tasting, touching. Proper times are to be
chosen for taking medicines, purgations, and bleedings.

The effect of the elements upon the health comes next.
Air, wind, meteors, exercise, “ venere et vigilia,” on eating
and drinking, sleep and quiet, passions of the mind. Rules
are given for the different seasons of the year. In winter,
for instance, few purges should be used — in the summer,
vomits; in the winter, “ inferiores.” Very precise rules are
also given “ in veneris usu ” : — “ 5. melius est coite calido
quam frigido corpore, et humido quam sicco.” Rules as to
foods follow. Frequent drinking at dinner or supper
impedes digestion. Walking and exercise before food are
recommended. At the conclusion of the treatise a few
prescriptions are added. The need of preserving the tone
of the stomach is much dwelt upon ; its state in excess in
the different temperaments is laid down. One prescription
contains prepared coriander seed, cinnamon, red rose leaves ;
also “ ventriculum galli, in furno exsiccati,” at page 241,
“ Tractatus primi, Finis, Deo gratias.”

In 1631 was issued at Frankfurt, “ Integrum Morborum
Mysterium : sive Medicinae Catholicae Tomi Primi Tractatus
Secundus, in Sectiones distributus duas.” The first section
treats in general of the nature of diseases ; the second,
the “ Catoptron,” “ de Morborum Signis.” The first part
extends to 503 folio pages ; the second to 413 pages. The
first portion of the work is dedicated to Archbishop Abbot ;
the Catoptron to Sir Robert Cotton.

The work is the continuation of the previous book,
“ De Medicina Catholica.”

On the back of the title-page is a portrait of Fludd.
A legend runs round it : — “ Robcrtus Fludd, alias de
Fluctibus, Oxoniensis, Medicinae Doctor et Armiger, etc.”

On the first title-page is disclosed a side bed scene. A
man in great weakness lies in a curtained bed. At the
farther side two women are ministering to him ; on the

DOCTOR ROBERT B’LUDD.

227

nearer side the physician is feeling the sick man’s pplse';
one boy holds a candle, another a candle and a basket. At
the side is a table covered with different “ needments.” An
animal, probably a cat, occupies part of the foreground.
The second title-page displays the world as imaged by
Fludd. The four winds, held in by the four archangels,
Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael, blow upon the globe
in the centre ; the other spirits of the elements are repre-
sented by names and signs. The motto is that from the
7th chapter of the Apocalypse, “ I saw four angels standing,”
&c., &c.

In the dedication to Abbot, Fludd refers to the previous
dedication of his “ Cosmos ” to King James. He now offers
this “ Meinbrum ” to the highest in station in “ ecclesia
Anglicana.” With all due reverence, he wishes him daily
health in body, mental illumination, divine aid, and per-
petual happiness. It is signed, “ Reverentim tuae servus et
cultor humillimus R.F.”

A sheet of hieroglyphic figures occupies the next two
pages, which is explained in the five following pages. The
“ Elenchus Capitum Omnium ” comes next. The hiero-
glyphic plate represents the operation of the evil angels
and their war against the world. Frog-like and reptilian
forms are seen, accompanied by flying creatures rushing to
the attack, which is only prevented by the Word of God
coming in four different divine rays.

The treatise commences with an account, illustrated by
experiments and “ machines,” explaining the laws of rarity
and density.

The next part treats of the universal nature spirit of
the microcosmos, the daily changing and movements of the
elements, the generation of “ meteors,” illustrated with facts
from Fludd’s own observations and experiments. As
usual, the " erroneous and false philosophy ” of Aristotle
is attacked. The microcosmos, man, now comes on the
scene ; the complexion and temperature of man is con-
sidered. The double nature of disease is next enquired

'228

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

into. This is illustrated by different diagrams of a glass,
which on its figured sides represents the two different
sorts of disease. Those which raise the temperature —
apoplexy, paralysis, catarrh ; those which lower it — bile,
gangrene, &c. All disease, starting from a certain point,
proceeds either in one direction or in another. All passages
in holy writ relating to disease are quoted and applied.
The “ Catholic ” disease springs from the sin of man, and is
a plague which is sent to evil hearts by Jehovah through
evil angels ; yet “ happy is the man whom God correcteth ;
therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.”
Yet the essence of disease is corruption by sin. Hippo-
crates, Galen, and Virgil (in the Georgies) are quoted.
Hippocrates is shown to have held strongly the evil effects
of the winds upon men’s health and spirits. Yet there are
differences in the diseases according to their celestial or

super-c?elestial origin. Disease is either acute or chronic,
and is undoubtedly affected by the influence of the planets.
This is illustrated by quotations from S. Augustine, Boehme,
S. Anselm. The plagues of the Egyptians, the slaying of
their first-born, as well as the disease and trouble of
Job, proceeded from Jehovah. Diseases are classified as
proceeding from “ winds,” “ meteors,” or motions from the
four cardinal points. Suitable treatment is indicated as
applicable to these different troubles. Some account is
given of the angels, who have generally power over winds
which produce disease. A very short instance may be
given 1 : —

Meteora corporalia regni
Occidentalis sunt

A large portion of the work treats of the stellary
influence on health and disease. A large number of com-
binations are made, requiring infinite patience, both in
author and reader. These combinations produce certain
diseases. Stars, winds, earthly elements, all have shares in

i i

p. 220.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

229

the scheme of health and disease enunciated by Fludd.
Experiments are given by which the effects of the different
“ winds ” are explained. Crises are treated of. Crisis is a
mystery. The fat and lean kine of Pharaoh have a place
and yield a lesson. The day of the crisis to death or
recovery depends, first of all, upon the sephirotic tree,
from which the influences of heaven proceed. As Job says,
God at times rains His fury upon man, even when he is
eating. The effects of the moon are laid down in certain
definite canons. The divine science of numbers is also
explained in regard to its relation to disease, and the thirty
days of the month have each their influence on the progress
of disease. Thus, ft Primo diu languebit ” ; “ Duodecimo
recuperabit”; “Trigesimo, cum difficultate evitabit mortem.”
A very large portion of the Catoptron is taken up with a
treatise, “ De Nomandia, sive Oypomantia ” — that is, “ divi-
nation ” “ per urinam.”

The four “ connexions ” are explained in their relation
to sickness. Rules are given for solving these in their
connection with the starry influences. The planetary signs
govern different parts of the human body. Thus, “ Gemini”
governs the shoulders, arms, the hands, the testicles.
Gemini produces all diseases in these members, also de-
fluxions of blood. So with the planets. Thus, Jupiter
affects the liver, the stomach, the vital spirits, the left arm,
the blood, the lungs, the belly, the left ear, &c. A useful
“ speculum” shows this under the different signs of the
Zodiac and of the planets. Divination by Geomancy comes
next. The principles and elements of this mode of divin-
ation are explained, with the names and value of the
different combinations. The next part is “ De divinatione
mortorum Physiognomica,” by colour, figure, and stature.
Chiromancy follows. The lines of hand are figured accord-
ing to methods already described. A considerable treatise
follows : — “ Oypomantia, hoc est, Divinatio per urinam.” A
picture appears on the title-page. It represents a study,
with a seated figure of a doctor or philosopher, who is giving

230

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

directions of some kind to a little lad, who is holding a
covered basket in his hand. The seated figure is filling up
a nativity. Four flasks are placed on one shelf ; behind
the figure are two shelves of books. A compass and a
globe are on the table. The treatise extends from p.
254-413 of the “ Catoptron.” It is illustrated. Tables
bearing diagrams of the different species of “humours”
affecting the urine under the different positions and move-
ments of the planets are inserted in considerable numbers.
The colour, consistency, and substance of the matter vary at
different times, and each and all have different medical mean-
ing under the influence of the different planets. As before,
the effects of the winds are noted, “ Orientalis, seu Ignese
et Cholericae, Intensa, Crocea, Rubea, Rubicunda, Viridis,
Cserulea, &c.” 1 There are also seven particulars which
have to be noted — age, sex, time, quality, complexion, habit
of body, action. Four other particulars affecting are cold,
frost, heat, wind. At p. 343 is a curious diagram. In the
centre the physician sits, holding up in his hand an open
flask nearly full of a fluid. Seven circles, referring by
attached strings and vases, show from colour the opinion of
the physician. A green colour signifies generally trouble
in the liver and veins. Diseases of the bladder, &c., are
explained. The archangels and sephiroths are brought into
the discussion.

This treatise is followed by another, entitled, “ Pulsus,
seu nova ct arcana Pulsuum Historia, e sacro fonte radi-
caliter extracta, nec non medicorum Ethnicorum dictis et
authoritate comprobata. Hoc est, portionis tertife pars tertia,
de pulsuum scientia.” At the bottom of the title-page
(which, though no date appears on the title-page, bears at
the end (p. 93), “ completum est istud opus, 1629. Octob.
19 ”), is a plate, at the top of which a hand from a cloud is
feeling the pulse of an arm. The motto is — “ My bones are
pierced in me in the night season, and my sinews take no
rest.” — Job xxx. 17. Below, in a circle, are the “ dry

1 p. 324.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

231

bones ” of Ezekiel’s phophecy, with the four winds blowing
on them, with the text round the circle. The tract is
divided into five parts : —

1. The radical mystery of the pulse is opened up.

2. Contains the essential definition of the pulse, both
from sacred writ and the opinions of Ethnic doctors.

3. The multiform difference in the method and pro-
gression of the pulse.

4. The different species of pulses, distinguished both by
the sacred authority and hy ocular demonstration.

5. How the pulse demonstrates the presence of disease.

The pulse is the effect of the operation of that divine

life breathed into Adam by God, and is a reflection of that
divine tune and harmony with which God has clothed the
spheres. It is an emblem of that harmony, concord, and
union which are divine qualities, and which only exist in
perfection between the Alpha and Omega of divine exist-
ence. These are mysteries which were unknown to Galen
and Hippocrates.

Pulses are of differing disposition, and their action is
affected by the influence of the four winds. Thus, for
instance 1 : —

De Pulsibus Morborum Occidentalium.

''Epilepsia, Apoplexia.

Pulsus frigidi Occidentales sequuntur me-
teora morbosa a proprietate Occidents
orta atque derivata cuiusmodi sunt

Paralysis, Hydrops.
Convulsio, Sopor.

Catoche, Catalepsis.
^Scotomia, Febris quotidiana.

At page 94, we have “ Huic volumini Epilogus.” It is
to be held on the truest saying, “ Abscondente faciem suam
Deo a creaturis perturbantur.” The word of Moses is as
true as that of the Psalmist David — “ I will hide my face
from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and
troubles shall befal them.” All iEsculapian skill proceeds
from the wisdom of the divine spirits, aided by the pro-
perties and influences which God has placed in the power
of His Divine Son, of whom Apollo was an emblem.

1 p. 86.

232

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

At the end of the volume is a very large and elaborate
table, “ Typis excudebatur Wolfgangi Hosinanni, Anno
M.DC.XXX.” It is entitled : —

“ Medicamentosum Apollinis Oraculum.

* * *

Hoc est

Tomus Secundus.”

CHAPTER XX.— Conclusion.

Fludd’s last Portrait — shows failure in health — His method of writing —
Orders for his Funeral — Dies, 1637 — Funeral — Buried at Bearstcd
— Grave — Slab in floor — His Monument — Description — Inscription
— Translation — Milgate Chantry — Window Glass — Described —
House of Milgate — Fludd and Boehme — Fuller’s Eulogy — Apprecia-
tion of Fludd’s life and works — Intensity of reverence — Cabalist —
Intensity of thought — Society of Rosy Cross — Fludd and the Church
of England — Sparrow’s Translation of Boehme — Hutchinson’s
Theories — The “ Religio Exculpata,” other issues — Jennings’ and
Waite’s Works — The last Representative of Fludd — Conclusion.

rpHE portrait of Fludd, engraved in the “ Integrum
Morborum Mysterium ” (1631), indicates failing health
and strength. He was consumed by his studies. In the
intervals of business, the amanuensis, who was always
ready, noted the thoughts given forth by his master, and
though we are not told the cause of his death, it probably
was a fever of exhaustion which had consumed the strength
of life, and brought the ardent thinker to the grave. His
departure was not unexpected. He had prepared for it by
a careful arrangement of his worldly affairs, and had given
exact orders as to his funeral and tomb. Fludd “ died
unmarried on 8th Sep. 1637, at his house in the parish of
St. Catherine, Coleman Street.” 1 “ When, attended by an

officer or herald at arms, his body was conveyed for burial to
his native place,” 2 where we are informed that he had “ laid
a stone for the purpose” of his grave. His place of rest in
Bearsted Church is still marked by that stone. The
“ Milgate Chantry ” is that part of the church included in

1 Die. Nat. Biog., coct Fludd, R. ” Munk, Roll of Physicians, i. 153.

234

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

the eastmost portion of the north aisle. The grave of
Fludd is exactly at the foot of the present steps into the
chancel at the north side. On the slab let into the stone
floor is the following inscription : —

“ In Jesu qui mihi omnia in vita morte resurgam.”

“ Under this stone resteth the Body of Robert Fludd, Docter of
Phisicke, who changed this transitory life for an imortall, the viii. day of
September, Ao. Dni. mdcxxxvii., being lxiii yeares of age, whose Monu-
ment is erected in this chancell according to the forme by him prescribed. ”

Interior of Bearsted Church.

The monument, “ in the style of that of Camden at
Westminster, with bust and long Latin epitaph, was erected,
10 August 1638, within the chancel rails at Bearsted by his
nephew, Thomas Fludd, or Floyd, of Gore Court, Otham,
Kent.” 1 This monument in marble, which formerly stood
(apart altogether from the burial place) in the south wall of
the chancel of Bearsted, just where the sanctuary steps
begin to rise, represents Fludd in study. He has, on a

1 Die. Nat. Biog., in voce.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

235

desk, an open book before him. The appearance of the
face is much thinner than is represented in the engravings.
The head is bald. The eyes and cheeks are sunken. But
the idea given is not at all that of senile decay ; it is that
of purification by suffering, by severe study and abstraction
from earthly aims and objects. We are told that on the
monument “ were representation in marble of eight books,”
but these have been broken off with the exception of two,
what are marked “ Misterium Cabalisticum ” and “ Philoso-
phia Sacra.” Running in a line down each side of the
emblature, which contains the inscription, are rods of
Esculapius. The Latin inscription is as follows : —

Sacrnm Memorial

Claris: Doctissq: viri Roberti Fludd, alias “de Fluctibus,” utriusq Medicime
Doctoris, qui post aliquot annorum perigrinationem quam ad recipiendum
ingenii cultum in transmarinas regiones fadiciter suscepcrat, patrias tandem
restitutus et in celeberrimi Collegii Medicorum Londinensis Societatem non
immerito electus vitam morte placide comnmtaxit viii die inensis vii bris
A Dni. mdcxxxvii. retatis suae lxiii.

Magnificis haec non sub odoribus urna vaporat

Crypta tegit ceneres nee speciosa tuos

Quod mortale minus tibi te committimus unum

Ingenii vivent hie monumenta tni

Nam tibi qui similis scribit moriturq sepulchrmn

Pro tota eternum posteritate facit.

Hoc monumentum, Thomas Fludd, Gore Courte, in Otham, apud Cantianos
Anniger in felicissimam charissimi Patrui sui memoriam erexit die x.
mensis Augusti mdcxxxviii.

“ Sacred to the memory

of that most brilliant and most learned man, Robert Fludd, alias De
Fluctibus, doctor of both medicines, who, after several years’ travelling,
which he had happily undertaken into regions beyond the sea for gaining
the culture of genius, at length was restored to his country, and was, not
undeservedly, elected to the society of the most distinguished College of
Physicians of London. He calmly exchanged life for death on the 8th day
of the month of September, An. Dom. 1637, in the 63rd year of his age.

No costly perfumes from this urn ascend,

In gorgeous tomb thine ashes do not He,

Thy mortal part alone to earth we give,

The records of thy mind can never die.

For he who writes like thee — tho’ dead —

Erects a tomb that lasts for aye.

This monument, Thomas Fludd, of Gore Court, in Otham, in Kent
Esquire, erected to the most happy memory of his very dear uncle on the
10th day of the month of August 1638.”

Over the bust is an escutcheon bearing the following

236

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

arms : — 1. A chevron between 3 wolves’ heads erased. 2.
3 talbots courant. 3. Azure, a lion passant guardant, or.

4. Per fesse sable and argent, a lion (?) passant rampant.

5. Argent, a chevron gules, in chief 2 pheons fessewise, and
in base a pheon pointing upwards. 6. Sable, 3 horses’
heads (2 and 1), erased, argent. Crest — a bear’s head
couped at the shoulder, arising out of a ducal coronet.
[Many of the colours have quite perished.] The whole coat
of arms of R. F. is surcharged with a mullet for difference.
Coat of arms and crest of Thomas Fludd, sen., per pale : —
1. 3 wolves’ heads erased between a chevron. 2. A bend
cotised bearing 3 mullet. Colours perished. Crest — a
bear’s head, as Robert’s.

In the Milgate Chantry are two windows opening out
to the north. These had been filled with stained glass,
which has now entirely disappeared, with the exception of
two small portions which remain in the small spaces at the
tops of the two light intersections. The fragment in the
window nearest the chancel represents what may be either
the Flood of Noah or some part of a scheme of the creation
of the world. From clouds issue rain streams. These
descend into the waters below. The space in the other
window answering to this is filled with a wreathing of
white roses with yellow centres. These poor fragments
make us deeply regret that the other portions have
disappeared.

The site of the house of Milgate, where Fludd was born,
is now occupied by a more recent structure, although it
is said that some small portion of the older mansion is built
into it. The site is the same. Gore Court, the house of
Fludd’s nephew, is quite near, although in the neighbouring
parish of Otham. “ It is a delightful old mansion, with a
laro-e Hall in the centre.”

What Fludd described in his mother’s monument as
the “ toilsome pilgrimage of lile” was now done.

There are some points of resemblance between him and
Boehme,. of whom we are told that he suddenly said

with remains of Stained Glass.

Window in Milgate Chantry,

238

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

farewell, and, with a smile, exclaimed, “ ‘Now I enter
Paradise/ The supreme moment arrived — and the spirit
was gone.”

Fullers description may be suitably placed here : — “ His
books, written in Latin, are great, many, and mystical.
The last some impute to his charity, clouding his high
matter with dark language, lest otherwise the lustre thereof
should dazle the understanding of the Reader. . . . His

works are for the English to sleight or admire, for French
and Forraigners to understand and use ; not that I account
them more judicious than our own countreymen, but more
inquiring into such difficulties. The truth is, here at home,
his Books are beheld not so good as chrystal, which (some
say) are prizes as precious Pearls beyond the seas.

“ But I conclude all with the character which my
worthy (though concealed) friend thus wrote upon him : —
‘ Lucabrationes quas solebat edere prefusissimas semper
visus est plus sumere Laboris, quam Populares nostri vole-
bant fnCctum quia hunce fere negligebant, pne tedio
legendi, et prejudicio quodam oleam perdendi operainque
ob cabalam, quam scripta ejus dicebantur olere magis
quam peripatum, et ob ferventibus hominis ingenium, in
quo plerique requirebant Judicium.’ ”

As a writer and expounder of a peculiar philosophy,
Fludd stands unique. He lived at the parting of the ways
in medicine and philosophy, and may be said to be the last
of the older school whose medical art depended on astrology,
and whose religious belief had as part of its foundation the
geocentric theory. He is the last figure of a long and
wondrous procession. Kepler, Mersenne, Gassendi, even
Foster, are of the new race. The intensity of reverence
which saw the hand of God in everything, and His sacred
presence generating, preserving, and controlling all, in an
absolute nearness and actual filling of all in all, was the
key to Fludd’s character and writings. His very intensity
is the cause oftimes of his involved and shadowy style. It
is true that his later works are really a repitition and

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

239

renewed explication of his " Historia Cosmi.” His capability
as the English Cabalist of his time will scarcely be dis-
puted. His intensity of thought is, however, perhaps even
greater than his intensity of learning. His connection
with the Rosicrucian controversy arose from the deep
respect in which he he held his instructor, Michael Maier,
and that cast of mind which saw wonders in Nature, which
to most were but the outcome of common operation. That
a society of the nature of the Rosy Cross existed, and that
both Maier and Fludd were initiates, need not, I think,
be now doubted by any disinterested students of the
history of those wondrous sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries. What its origin may have been, we shall, I
suppose, never know with any certainty, though there is
some ground for supposing that it was in existence in the
latter part of the eighteenth century. Its whole story is
one of the most curious episodes in history.

The attachment and devotion of Fludd to the Church of
England was fervid and complete. Travelling on the
Continent in those years of life when the outward attrac-
tion of the Church of Rome might be supposed to be
greatest, these seemed to have had little or no interest for
him. His admiration and friendship for several of the
Bishops of England, including particularly Thornburgh and
Abbot, was sincere and deep. Her system, orderly with
ceremony “ decent and unreproved,” was to his mind the
completeness of primitive practice and worship. To a mind
like his, which in its intensity passed beyond intermediaries
to “ things unseen,” found in Nature, rather than in church
ceremony, the showings forth of the divine.

Fludd formed no school, and left no band of disciples
who might hand on his opinions, and carry out his sugges-
tions, and complete his work. It had become intensely
individual. Those who had begun the study of Boehme’s
works found in that wonderful writer a satisfaction and a
source of continual thought which Fludd did not supply.
It is true that the “ Tractatus Theologo^Philosophicus ” is

240

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

as warm in devout thought, hope, and love as any of
Boehme’s works; but the latter were both more accessible,
and in their more complete theological nature more welcome,
than Fludd’s equally religious but more philosophical and
cumbrous volumes.

The great benefit given to English readers by John
Sparrow, “ Barrister of the Inner Temple, London,” in his
translations of Boehme’s writings, must ever be remembered
with deep gratitude. “ His prefaces show that he resorted
to mysticism as a refuge from sectarian religion.” Sparrow
died after 1664. He had the co-operation of his kinsman,
John Ellesteree, in bringing out this translation of Boehme. 1
Sparrow says, in words which recall the studies of Fludd,
“ The wise men of all nations did write darkly of their
mysteries, not to be understood but by such as were
Lovers of these things ; and so the very Scriptures them-
selves, which conteine all things in them, cannot be
understood but by such as love to follow, practice, and
endeavour to do those things which they finde in them
ouidit to be done ; and in several Nations their wisdome
hath had several Names, which hath caused our Age to
take all the Names of the severall parts of Wisdome, and
sort them into Arts ; among which the Magia and Cabala
are accounted the most mysticall ; the Magia consisting in
knowing how things have come to be ; and the Cabala in
knowing how the Words and formes of Things express the
Reality of the Inward Mystery ; but he that knoweth the
Mystery, knoweth both these, and all the Branches of the
Tree of Wisdom, in all Reall Arts and Sciences, and the true
signification of every idea in every Thought and Thing
and Sound and Letter in every Language.” The writer
only longs that “ Love will cover all the Ends of the Earth,
and the God of Love will give us His blessing of Peace all
the world over, and then the King of Glory will dwell
with men, and All the Kingdomes of the earth will be
His. Who would not desire such a thing with me, The

1 Dicty. of Nat. Biog., in voce.

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

241

unworthiest of the Children of Men, J. S. ?” 1 The con-
nection which some have traced between Fludd’s opinions
and those of John Hutchinson, and the curious reprint of
the “Tractatus Apologeticus ” at Leipsic in 1782, will be
more conveniently treated in two short appendices.

In 1684 appeared at Ratisbon, in 4to, a volume entitled
“ Religio Exculpata, autore Alitophilo Religionis fluctibus
dudum immerso, tandem . . . emerso.” The preface is

signed J. N. T. “ Though assigned to Fludd, this work
wholly differs in character from his genuine productions.” 2
Fuller particulars will be found in an appendix. Fludd’s
“ Tractatus Geomantia ” was also issued separately, “ in-
cluded in Fasciculus Geoman ticus, &c. Verona, 1687, 8vo.” 3
The writer adds to this list the following: — “ An unpublished
manuscript copied by an amanuensis,” and headed, “ Declar-
atio brevis,” &c., is in the British Museum, “ Royal MSS.,
12, C. ii. ; the manuscript, 12, B. viii., which seems to have
been another copy of this, with a slightly different title, has
perished by fire.”

A word must be added here in regard to the republica-
tion of epitomes of Fludd’s works and opinions by Mr
Hargrave Jennings and Mr Waite. It is rather difficult to
understand the ideas of the former writer, and it may
perhaps be doubted if he has altogether understood the
ideas and intentions of Fludd. He is so carried away at
times as to lead ordinary readers to suppose that Fludd’s
writings contained deeper mysteries than they really do.
For Mr Waite’s excellent and thorough investigation, the
present writer offers his best and most grateful thanks.
That writer’s volume on the “ Real History of the Rosi-
crucians ” is beyond praise, and must ever be on the library
table of the student who desires to understand and value
these recondite subjects.

Canon Scarth, the present vicar of Bearsted, has

1 Preface to Boehme’s “ Three Principles,” 164S.

2 Die. Nat. Biog. , in voce, Fludd.

3 Die. Nat. Biog., in voce, Fludd.

242

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

furnished me with the following note, showing once more
the truth of Shakespeare’s saying : -

“ Imperious Cresar, (lead, and turned to clay,

Might stop a hole to keep the wind away.”

“ The last representative [of the Fludd family] was the
widow of one. She kept a donkey-cart and sold sand, but
was imprisoned for cruelty to the donkey ; and while she
was in prison the magistrate gave the donkey the run of
his little park.”

The real successors of a writer like Fludd will be found
in those who, assimilating his thoughts, and their results,
hand on to others the encouraging hope that a time will
come when “ all the earth shall be full of the knowledge of
the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

APPENDIX I.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

Note. — The references after the several entries are to
F. A. Ebert’s “ General Bibliographical Dictionary,” 4 vols.
Oxford, 1837. 8vo. No. 7701.

Quorum <

( Metaphysico Macrocosmi
p . , ) et Creaturau illius ortu.

nmus ( e < phy S j co Macrocosmi in generatione
( & corruptione progressu.

'Arithmetical)!.
Musicam.

Geometriam.
Perspectivam.

Artem Pictoriam.
Artem Militarem.
Motus ) 0 . ,.

Tnmnnmn f OCieiltiam.

lempons )
Cosmographiam.
Astrologiam.
Geomantiam.

Secundus de Arte Naturce |
simia in Microcosmo pro-
ducta | & in eo nutrita
& multiplica- | ta, cujus^
Alias prcecipuas hie | ana-
tomia viva recensuimus
nempe.

Oppenhemii. | ^Ere Johan-Theodori de Bry. | Typis
Hieronymi Galleri | Anno cio io cxvii [1017]. |

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter. Engraved title, A-Z 4 , Aa, Bb 4 , Cc 6 ;
(2) + 206 + (6) pp : — (1) engraved title, (2) blank, 1 dedication to
God, 2 dedication to James I., King of Great Britain and Ireland,
3 contents, 4-206 the work, (1-6) index. Copperplate engravings
in text. No. 1 of Ebert's list.

244

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

In Nobili Oppenheimio | Myq Johan-Theodori de
Bry Typis Hierony- | mi Galleri. Anno CIO io cxviii
[1618]. |

Fol. 12 in. Roman Letter. A-Z 4 , Aa-Ll 4 , Mm ( + 2* ‘ Haec
pagina’) 4 , Nn-Zz 4 , Aaa-Ggg 4 , Hhh 2 , Iii-Zzz 4 , Aaaa-Zzzz 4 , Aaaaa-
Hhhlih 4 ; 788 + (12) pp.,5 plates: — 1 engraved title, 2 blank, 3,
4, the author to the reader, 5-783 the work, 784 blank, 785-787
contents of the second vol., 788 the printer to the reader, (1-9)
index, (10) errata, (11, 12) blank. Copperplate engravings in the
text. The cancel leaf after p. 276 is not included in the paging,
and pp. 409 to 412 are represented by four double plates so
numbered. No. 2 of Ebert’s list.

Francoforti, | Sumptibus hoeredum Johannis Theo-
dori | de Bry ; Typis Caspari Rotelii. | Anno M. DC.
xxiv [1624]. [Emblematical engraving.]

Fol. 13 in. Roman letter. A-Z 4 , Aa-Zz 4 , Aaa-Ggg 4 , Hhh 2 , Iii-
Zzz 4 , Aaaa-Zzzz 4 , Aaaaa-Hhhhh 4 ; 788 + (12) pp. , 5 plates: — 1
title, 2 blank, 3-4 preface, 5-787 the work, 788 the printer to the
reader, (1-9) index, (10) errata, (11-12) wanting, probably blank.
Copperplate engravings in the text. Pages 409 to 412 are repre-
sented by the four double plates, but only the last plate is
numbered 412. Second edition of no. 2 of Ebert’s list.

Oppenhemij Impensis Iohannis Theodorj | de Bry,
typis Hierony mj Galleri 1619. |

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter. Engraved title, A-Z 4 , Aa-Mra 4 ; (2) +
277 + (3) pp. : — (1) engraved title, (2) blank, 1 half-title, 2 blank,
3, 4 dedication to James I., King of Great Britain and Ireland,
5-15 Oratio gratulabunda, 16 contents of Tract I., 17 to the
reader, 18 contents of Tract I., Sec. I., 19-277 the work, G-3)
blank. Copperplate engravings in the text.

No. 3 of Ebert’s list.

Tomi Secvndi | Tractatus Primi, ] Scctio Secunda, |

APPENDICES.

245

[? Oppenheim, ? 1620.]

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter, a-z 4 , aa 4 , bb fi ; 191 + (13) pp. : — .1 title,
2 blank, 3-191 the work, (1) errata, (2-11) index, (12, 13) wanting,
probably blank. Copperplate engravings in the text.

No. 4 of Ebert's list.

In Quarum^

Prima, de Meteororum tam Macro, qoam Micro-
cosmico- | rum causis, earumque effectibus in
genere agitur. |

Secunda, de particularibus Meteororum, tam ad
prospe- | ram, quam adversam valetudinem,
impressionibus : de- | que indicijs ea prteterita,
prsesentia, & futura prtesagienti- | bus trac-
tatur. |

Tertia, pessimos & malesanos Meteororum eventus
futu- | ros avertendi, praesentes ipsorum insul-
tus debellandi, & | sanitatis denique pristinae
jam amissae restituendae ratio | ad amussim
explicatur. |

Authore | Roberto Flvdd, alias de Fluetibus, Armigero,
| & in Medicina Doct, Oxoniensi. | [Device.]

Francofurti | Typis Erasmi Kempfferi, | Sumptibus
Joan. Theodori De Bry. ] Anno M. DC. xxi [1621]. |

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter. A.R 6 , S 4 ; (12) + 199 pp. +(1) p., 1
plate : — (1) title, (2) blank, (3-11) and 1-199 the work, (1) blank.
Copperplate engravings in the text. No. 5 of Ebert's list.

Francoforti, | Typis Erasmi Kempfferi, | Sumptibus
Joan. Theodor. De Bry. | Anno M. DC. xxi [1621], |

246

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter. A-D°, E 4 ; 54+ (2) pp. : — 1 title, 2
blank, 3-54 the work, (1-2) missing, probably blank.

No. 6 of Ebert's list.

Francofurti Sumptibus Johannis Theodori de Bry
1623. | [The above on an engraved title. Followed by
a letterpress title :]

Sectionis Primte I Portio Tertia | De | Anatomia
Triplici | In partes tres diuisa. |

Quarum <

r Priori, Fanis ; Nutriment-urn facile princeps ; ignis
acie dissecatur, eins elementa, occultaeque eorum
proprietates | discntiuntnr. |

r Vnlgari seu >
visibili

Duabus sequentibus Homo,
Nutritu di- j gnitate-*
prsecellentissimum sec-
tione | Anatomise, bi-
faria, videlicet vel |

►Diiuditnr.

Mystica sen
inuisibili J

Avthore | Roberto Flvdd, Alias Flvctibvs, | armigero
& in Medicina Doctore Oxo- | niensi. | [Device.]

Francofvrti, | Ex Typographia Erasmi Kempfferi.
| Sumptibus loan. Theodor, de Bry. | Anno m.dc.xxiii
[1623]. |

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter. 2 leaves unsigned, A-Z 6 , Aa-Dd 6 , Ee 4 ;
(4) + 331 pp. +(1) p. : — (1) half title, (2) blank, (3) engraved title,
(4) portrait of J. T. de Bry, 1 letterpress title, 2 Portionis hujus
tertiae subjectum, 3, 4 De exacta alimenti panis, 5, 6 dedication
to John Thornburgh, Bishop of Worcester, 7-10 preface, 11-285
the work, 286 blank, 287 title-page : Monochordivm Mvndi |
Symphoniacvm, | Sev | Replicatio | Roberti Flud ... | . . . Ad
Apologiam . . . | . . . Ioannis Kepleri . . . 288-290 preface, 291-331
Replicatio, (1) blank. Copperplate engravings in the text.

No. 7 of Ebert's list.

Francofurti prostat in Ofhcina | Bry ana. |
mdcxxvi [ 1626], |

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter. ):( 4 , A-Z4, Aa-Pp 4 ; (8) + 303 pp. +

(1) p. , 1 large folding plate : — (1) title, within an engraved border,

APPENDICES.

247

... (4) portrait of Robt. Fludd, (5, 6) dedication to John, Bishop
of Lincoln, (7, S) contents, 1-303 the work, (1) blank. Copper-
plate engravings in the text. No. 8 of Ebert's list .

. . . [Motto. Device.]

Francofvrti, | Typis Caspari Rotelii, Impensis
Wilhelmi Fitzeri. | Anno m.dc.xxix [1629]. |

Fol 12 in. Roman letter. H 2 , ):( 4 , ):( ):( 6 , A-Z 4 , Aa-Hli 4 ; (24) +
241 + (7) pp : — (1) title, (2) blank, (3-5) dedication by R. Fludd
to Gulielmus Padaeus, (6) blank, (7) contents, (8) hieroglyphic
figure, (9-12) explanation of hieroglyphic figure, (13-22) Sanitas
My- | sterium, | Seu | Tomi Primi Tracta | tvs Prim vs : | Mysti-
cvm Salvtis Propvgna- | cvlvm | Describens | . . . , (23, 24)

preface, 1-241 the work, (1-7) index. Copperplate engravings in
the text. No. 9 of Ebert's List.

Hoc Est, | Portionis Tertim Pars Tertia, — De Pvl-
svvm Scientia. | Authore Roberto Flvd [ Armigero, &
in Medicina Doctore Oxoniensi. | [Emblematical en-
graving.] [? Frankfurt, ? 1629.]

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter. AA-MM 4 ; 93 + (3) pp., 1 large fold-
ing table of three sheets pasted together, Medicamentosum
Apollinis oracidum. Typis Wfg. Hofnicinni , 1630 : — 1 title, 2
contents, 3-93 the work, (1) epilogue (the catchword “ Medi-” at
the foot of this page refers to the folding table, (2, 3) wanting,
probably blank. No. 10 of Ebert's list.

1 . . . Authore Roberto Fludd ; alias de Fluctibus,
Armigero : & Doctore Medico | Oxoniense : Qui

calumniis & convitiis in ipsum a Sycophanta Mersenno
| iniectis, ad hoc opus, contra pacificam naturae sum
dispositionem, excitatur. | Isa. 7. 20, 21. [ [Quoted.] . . .

[Frankfurt,] Anno m.dcxxix [1629]. |

248

DOCTOR ROBERT FI.UDD.

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter, a-p 4 ; 1 IS + (2) pp. , 1 plate : — 1 title,
2 Latin verses to M. Mersennus, 3 contents, 4, 5 dedication to
Wisdom, 6-10 to the reader, etc., 11-118 the work, (1, 2) index,
Copperplate engravings in the text. No. 11 oj Ebert's list.

- Svmmvm — Bonvm, | Quod est |

{ Magice 1 \

Cabalas > Veras |

Alchymias ) VSnbjectum.

Fratrum Roseje Crucis l
verorum /

In dictarum Scientiarum laudem, & insignis calumnia-
toris Fratris — Marini Marsenni dedecus publicatum, |
Per Ioachimvm Frizivm. — [Emblematical engraving.]

[Frankfurt,] Anno m.dc.xxix [1629]. |

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter. AA-GG 4 ; 53 pp. + (1) p: — 1 title
2 the printer to the reader, 3-53 the work, (1) index.

No. 12 of Eberts list.

Vltima, vniuersale Medicorum siue JEgrotorum de-
pingit Catoptron : in quo Meteororum mor- | bosorum
signa tam Demonstratiua, quam Prognostica, lucide
speculantur, & modo baud vul- | gari atque alieno plane
designatur. | Avthore | Roberto Flvdd, alias De Flvcti-
bvs, | Armigero, & in Medicina Doctore Oxoniensi. |
[Engravings of a sick man in bed.]

Francofvrti, Typis excusus Wolfgangi Hofmanni,
Prostat in Officina Gviliel- | mi Fitzeri, Anno m.dc.
xxxi. [1631]. |

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter. (:( G ,)( 8 , A-Z 4 , Aa-Zz 4 , Aaa-Rrr 4 ; (2S)
+ 503 pp. + ( 1 ) p. , 1 plate : — (1) title (2) portrait of R. Fludd,
(3) title-page : Tractatvs Secvndi | Sectio Prima : | In Qva |
Integrvm Morborvm, Sev r | Meteororvm Insalvbrivm Mysterivm :

| . . ., (4) contents, (5) dedication to Geo. Abbot, Archbishop
of Canterbury, (6, 7) copperplate engraving, (S-12) explanation of
the foregoing engraving (13-26) Elenchus, (27, 28) blank, 1-6
preface, 7-503 the work, (1) blank. Copperplate Engravings in
the text. No. 13 of Ebert's List.

K aOoXiKov | Medicorvm | Karo7rrpor :

In quo, |

APPENDICES.

249

[Frankfurt,] Anno m.dc.xxni [1631]. |

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter. H 2 , a-z 4 , aa-zz 4 , aaa-eee, 4 ; (4) + 413
pp. + (1) p., 1 plate with volvelles, and 1 folding table: — (1)
title, (2) contents, (3-4) dedication to Sir Robert Cotton, 1-413
the work, (1) blank. Copperplate engravings in the text.

No. 14 of Ebert's list.

-Clavis | Philosophise Et I Alchymise Flvddanse, | Sive
Roberti Flvddi Armigeri, | Et Medicinm Doctoris, Ad
Episto- | licam Petri Gassendi Theologi Exercitationem
Responsum. | In quo : | Inanes Marini Marsenni
Monachi Obiectiones, querelaeque ipsius in | iustoe,
immerito in Robertum Fluddum adhibitse, examinantur
atq ; auferuntur : | Seuerum ac altitionans Francisci
Lanouii de Fluddo Judicium refellitur, & in nihi- | lum
redigitur : Erronea Principiorum Philosophise, Fludd-
anas detectio, a Petro Gas- | sendo facta, corrigitur, &
sequali iustitise trutina ponderatur : ac denique sex | illte
Impietates, quas Mersennus in Fluddum est machinatus,
sincere | veritatis fluctibus abluuntur atque abster- |
guntur | ... [3 Esdr. 3, 12 quoted. Emblematical
engraving.]

Francoforti, | Prostatapud Gvilhelmvm Fitzervm |
Anno M.DC.xxxm [1633]. |

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter A-L 4 ; 87 pp. + (1) p. : — 1 title, 2 con-
tents, 3 the printer to the reader, 4 preface, 5-87 the work, (1)
blank. No. 15 of Ebert's list.

- Philosophia | Moysaica. | In qua | Sapientia Sr. scientia
creationis & creaturarum Sacra vereque Christiana
(vt pote | cujus basis sive Fundamentum est unicus
ille Lapis Angularis Iesus Christus) — ad amussiin &
enuclcatd explicatur. | Avotlne, Rob. Flvd, alias De
Flvctihvs, | Armigero & in Medicina Doctore Oxoniensi.
[Coloss. 15, 16 quoted. Emblematical engraving.]

Gov dag | Excudebat Petrus Rammazenius, Riblio-
pola. Anno m.dc.xxxviii [1638].

250

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

Fol. 114 in. Roman letter. 2 columns. (*) 4 , A-Z 4 , Aa-Nn 4 ; (4)
+ 96 leaves + pp. 97-112 + leaves 113-152: — la) [. Half-title ]
Philosophia j Moysaica. | (lb) description of the emblematical
figure, (2a) title, (2b) title heading and Biblical quotations, (3»-4a)
preface, (4b) contents of part i., la-65b the work, part i.,
66a title of part ii. , 66b contents of part ii., 67 a -96b pp. 97-112,
leaves 113a-152b the work, part ii. Copperplate engravings in
the text. No. 16 of Ebert's list.

*** Some copies have the emblematical figure on the title in-
serted as a plate between the half-title and the title.

Mosiacall philosophy : grounded upon the essentiall
truth, or eternal sapience. Written first in Latin, and
afterwards thus rendred into English. . . .

London, H. Moseley, 1659.

Fol. 12 in. (6) + 300pp.

English translation of No. 16 of Ebert's list.

- Doctor Flvdds Answer vnto M. Foster | Or, | The
Sqveesing Of | Parson Fosters Sponge, ordained | by
him for the wiping away of the | Weapon-Salve. |
Wherein the Sponge-bearers immodest carriage and j
behauiour towards his bretheren is detected ; the bitter
flames | of his slanderous reports, are by the sharpe
vinegar of Truth | corrected and quite extinguished :
and lastly, the ver- | tuous validity of his Sponge, in
wiping away of | the Weapon-Salue, is crushed out
and I cleane abolished. | Psal. 92, 7. | Bilis acutissima
aceto correcta acerrimo redditur dulcior. | Opera Dei,
vir brutus & stultus non intelligit. | The Assertion of
Parson Foster and his Faction or Cabale, | is this : |
The wonderfull manner of healing by the weapon-
salue, is diaboli- | call, or affected onely by the
inuention and power of the Deuill ; | But, the Royal
Psalmist guided by the spirit of God, saith : | Psal. 71,
18, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who only
worketh wonders : | Therefore, the Prophet pointeth
thus, at these and such like enemies ! of the Truth. I
Esa. 5, 20. Woe vnto them that speake good of euill.
and euill of good ; which | put darknesse for light, and
light for darknesse ; that put bitter for sweet, and |
sweet for bitter ; Woe vnto them that arc wise in their
owne eyes, and prudent | in their own sight. |

London, I Printed for Nathanael Butler, 1631.

APPEK DICES.

251

4°. 71 in. Roman letter. A-T 4 , a*-h M , i*- ; (8) +144 + 68 pp : —
(1,2) blank, (3) title. (4) contents, (5-8) preface to reader, 1-144 +
1-6S the work.

%* The English edition of which No. 17 of Ebert’s list is a trans-
lation.

Govdse, | Excudebat Petrus Rammazenius, Biblio-
pola m. dc. xxxvm [1G38].

Fol. 12 in. Roman letter. A-H 4 ; 30+ (2) leaves: — la title,
blank, 2 preface, 3-30a the Avork, 30U blank, (1) errata, (2)
missing, probably blank. No. 17 of Ebert? s Hat.

Roberti Fludd De Fluctibus . . . Meteororum insalu-
brium mysterium : duabus sectionibus divisurn. quarum,
prima generalem morborum naturam, sive variam
munimenti salutis hostiliter invadendi atque oppug-
nandi rationem more novo describit. Altera Prognos-
ticon supercoeleste : in quo meteororum morbosorum
signa, tarn demonstrativa quam proguostica lucide
speculantur et modo haud vulgari designantur. His
accessit Oy roman tia, sive devinatio per Urinam nec
non nova et arcana Pulsuum scientia. . . .

Moguntice, L. Bourgral , 1082.

Fol. 12 in. 3 parts in 1 vol. I. (16) + 503 pp. + (1) p. , 1 plate.
II. 413 pp. +(1) p., 1 plate. III. 93 pp. + ( 1 ) p. , 1 large folding
table of three sheets joined.

%* A reissue with a new title page of nos. 13, 14, and 10 of
Ebert’s list. The dedications are omitted and the hieroglyphical
engraving and description at beginning of no. 13. The plate with
volvelles is missing in no. 14, but it has a plate, wanting in the
earlier issue, between pp. 58 and 59 (numbered in error 55).

Apologia I compendiaria | Fraternitatem de Rosea
Cruce | suspicionis et infamiae inaculis as | persarn,

252

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

vevitatis quasi Fluctibus | abluens et abstcrgens : —
auctore | R. do Fluctibus, M.D., Loncl. | Leydac | apud
Godefridum Basson — 161 G.

S°. in. height by 3 \ breadth [as originally printed a little
larger, the copy taken, that in the Bodleian, is close cut], pagin-
ation is 23 + [1] 23 printed pages and one blank (the last page).
The Printers’ letters are A 8 , B 4 . Ornaments — 1. On title-page
open music book surrounded by a wreath. 2. Woodcut at top of
p. 3 (beginning of text), representing leaves, &c. 3. Initial letter

C. on p. 3, representing the sacrifice of Isaac.

Lvgdvni Batavorvm, | Apud Godefridvm Basson. |
Anno Domini 1617. |

8°. 6 in. Roman letter. A-M 8 , N 2 ; 196 pp : — 1 title, 2 blank,
3-4 to the reader, 5-16 Procemium, 17-196 the work.

I O O I

Deutsche, zuglcich init einigen Anmerkungen | iiber-
setzt | von | AdaMah Booz | [Device.]

Leipzig, | verlcgts Adam Friedrich Bohme. |

1782. |

8vo. German letter. A-U 5 ; 320 pp : — 1 title, 1 blank at end, pp.
16 of preface.

sophorum fonte hausta atque | collecta,
olfo Otreb [v>. Robert Fludd] Britanno.

H R LL IIVELL _ PHILLIPS CTO.)

Wef dtocRption, of Htc, cmcierd-
■=> modem, mss pieooueol in t-be. Public
Libm^u, PUjmoulH: to uu+itcK cue. added.
%ornx. fjrxgmeata of eo*Lu (deiutu«, )
VutWVo unptdoUahLcl . London, 16SS

\nc cuji>cbiognDLp.riy j) r
'itrr.oa Fbi-rruxn. ('Or. Rudd had all

JVo rr>

hu> ^veaV booh of VVw mss of fc^aa'J

Gold scHmidl' l 'Z'ilb'%

APPENDICES.

253

Anno | ChrIstVs MVndo YIta | [1G17] Oppen-
heiinii typis Hieronymi Galleri, | Impensis I oh. Theod.
de Bry. |

4°. 7f in. A-Q 4 ; 126 pp. +(1) leaf blank.

4°. 7f in. A-Mnnn., pp. 459. 1 Title, pref. 2 pp., contents 4 pp.

2 blank leaves at beg., 1 at end. 2 ornaments, one at title and

one after Finis.

APPENDIX II.

FLUDD AND HUTCHINSONIANISM.

The writer of the article, “ Robert Fludd/' in the
Dictionary of National Biography, states that the “ common
ideas of this school, that the biblical text contains a store-
house of hints for modern science, has lost interest, its
potency expiring with the Hutchinsonians.” The writer of
the article, “John Hutchinson” [1674-1737], in the same
work, remarks that Hutchinson “found a number of
symbolical meanings in the Bible, and in nature and
thought ; for example, that the union of fire, light, and air,
was analogous to the Trinity. He maintained that Hebrew,
when read without points, would confirm his teaching.
. . . The love of scriptural symbolism seems to have

been the peculiarity which chiefly recommended him to
his followers.” Hutchinson’s works form twelve octavo
volumes, first issued in 1748, and supplemented in 1765.
He had neither the ability nor the learning of Fludd, and
it is scarcely correct to say that his opinions were of the
same nature. I do not think that, among the endless refer-
ences to learned works,* there will be found one single
reference to Fludd in all the volumes of Hutchinson.
Probably he was ignorant of his existence. Both writers,
however, agreed as to the mystic and symbolic value of the
Hebrew language. In a MS. in my possession, composed
by one of the last of the Hutchinsonian school, the follow-
ing axioms are laid down : —

254

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

1. “ The Hebrew was the first language, and it was the
gift of God to man. The Almighty taught our first parents,
or endowed them miraculously with the knowledge got
immediately after their Creation in Paradise, by means
whereof Adam was enabled to express his ideas and to give
appropriate and descriptive names to every other creature
in the whole universe.”

2. “ It was also the language of heaven, for when the
persecuting Saul was converted by our Lord, he heard His
voice from heaven saying, in the Hebrew tongue, ‘ Saul,
Saul, why persecutest thou Me V ”

3. “ The Greek tongue is but a corruption of the
Hebrew.”

The writer then goes on to recommend to the reader
“ Mr Hutchinson’s ‘ Moses’ Principia,’ part first and second.”
This work was issued, anonymously, in 1724. It “ treats
of invisible parts of matter, of motion, of visible forms, and
their Dissolution and Reformation.” The second part
(issued in 1727) treats “ of the circulation of the Heavens,
of the cause of the motion and course of the Earth, Moon,
&c., of the Religion, Philosophy, and Emblems of the
Heathen before Moses writ, and of the Jews after.” In the
beginning, “ the chaos of earthly bodies was in the sphere
of water, and the chaos of airy bodies in the Airs, and ’tis
likely the matter of each celestial Orb, within a determined
separate Orb or sphere.” The Spirit of God was, in the
operation of “ moving upon the waters,” “ merely a powerful
created agent.” It is the “ name used for airs in motion.”
Hutchinson’s attempt “ to find Natural Philosophy in the
Bible ” met with many supporters far more learned and able
than himself. Bishop Horne ; Parkhurst ; Jones, of Nay-
land ; and Lord President Forbes, of Culloden, were among
his disciples. An intelligent and enthusiastic following
was also existent amongst the Scottish Episcopalians,
bishops, presbyters, and laymen. Even men in humble
life studied Hebrew without the points. 1

Hutchinson’s curious work, “ The Covenant in the
Cherubim, so the Hebrew writings perfect, alterations by
Rabbis forged,” “ showing the evidence from the Scriptures
that Christianity was exhibited to Adam,” &c., is dated 1734.
“ Natural things were contrived to give us ideas of invisible,
supernatural things. . . . Moses has showed, and I

1 See Walker’s Life of Dean Skinner, 1C3-173 ; Skinner’s Eccl.
History, ii. C73, et seq.

APPENDICES.

255

from him, that the Eternal Three became Elohim, created
this system, consisting of two parts, Heavens and the Earth,
and Man,” foe . 1 " Eternal generation ” is declared by
Hutchinson to be a “ stupid and contradictory notion.”
The result of these studies led to the rejection of the
definitions in the “ Athanasian Creed.” Thus its use in
Scotland only dates from the nineteenth century, and that
use was consistently opposed by the Hutch insonians. Moses
was the “ Vice Elohim,” and Aaron the “ High Intercessor .” 2
The Gods of the “ heathen ” were but feeble images of the
wonderful revelation of God in the Jewish Theocracy, in
the Breastplate of the High Priest, the Cherubim on the
Ark, the Fire in the Burning Bush, the Star of Balaam.
The “ face of the man ” in the Cherubim was the face of
Christ. The heavens also, “framed by Almighty wisdom,
are an instituted and visible substitute of Jehovah Aleim,
the Eternal Three, the co-equal and adorable Trinity in
Unity. That the unity of substance in the heavens points
out the unity of essence, and the distinction of conditions,
the personality in deity, without confounding the persons
or dividing the substance.” 3

Hutchinson found all his theories in the Hebrew Bible.
Fludd added to the witness of the Sacred Record that of
the most ancient philosophy. He knew the depths of
mystic theology and learning in a manner infinitely beyond
any attempt of Hutchinson. In fact, the latter writer
ridiculed the need of any outward assistance. The Rabbis
were to him forgers, guilty of all evil. The Hebrew
“points” were the production of apostate Jews at the
Reformation time. Fludd again welcomed all assistance.
The narrow platform in which Hutchinson set himself was
no place for the great nature-mystic. The atmosphere of
exclusive narrowness in which Hutchinson lived and moved
in, would have choked the Kentish sage. In fact, the only
connection between the two thinkers was the deep sense of
the value of the Hebrew language, and of the supposed
system of natural philosophy to be found, as they thought,
in the Scriptures. “ Moses’ Principia ” and the “ Mosaic
Philosophy” are rather related in name than in nature.
Fludd founded no school, as Hutchinson did. The latter
has been described as a “ half educated and fanciful man of
boundless vanity.” The contrast between the Oxford

1 Cherubim, 217. 2 Cherubim, 445. 3 Skinner’s History, ii. 675.

256

DOCTOR ROBERT BLUDD.

scholar and gentleman, the tutor to some of the noblest
youths of his time, the cultured and refined physician,
whose perfect devotion to the Great Master of souls shines
so brightly in his “ Tractatus Theologo-Philosophicus,” and
the Yorkshire land agent, in some ways no doubt a worthy
and painstaking student, but who had no training in youth
either in letters or society, is so evident as to need no
further demonstration.

APPENDIX III.

THE " RELIGIO EXCULPATA.”

This volume is a small 4to of 459 pages. It has a very
plain, rather coarse, title, and no illustrations. There are
two ornaments. That at the title seems to represent an
opening pomegranate, surrounded by foliage and flowers ;
that at the end, a fruit of the same kind, ripe, and shedding
its seed.

The title, “ Religio Exculpata, autore Alitophilo Reli-
gionis ductibus dudum immerso, tandem per Dei gratiam
et indefessam enatandi Operam einerso ” — no place of issue,
but said to be from Ratisbon, merely “ anno M. DC. lxxxiv.
J. N. J.” — prefixes a preface of two pages.

The work itself consists of four sections : —

1. “Religio Opponitur Irreligioni.” This contains
eleven chapters.

2. “ Religio Concorporationem desiderat,” contains six
chapters.

3. “ Religio nititur ambulare ad sanctitatem per Viam
justifies,” contains thirteen chapters.

4. “ Religio in timore cultum divinum peragere satagit,”
contains twenty-five chapters.

The work bears no printer’s name. It is very odd
why this book should have been considered as Fludd’s.
It is probable that the word “ fluctibus ” on the title-
page, having caught the eye of a catalogue maker, or a
bookseller, has been the cause of the error. The work is a
Roman Catholic production. It sets forth in studied
modest} 7 , and with some attractive force, the different
distinguishing elements of that religion. It is true that the
defence of the service of the altar, and of the vestments of
the Church’s ministers, might have been written by a

A PP EN DICES.

257

member of the Church of England, and the statement in
chapter 2 of section 2, that the most prominent parts of
true religion are wisdom, justice, and peace, by any Pro-
testant, but the whole trend of the book is Roman. This
is seen when the origin and history of monastic orders, as
then existing, are detailed, but more clearly still in section
2, chapter G, <c Reformatio invito Domino attentata Opus
injustitice est.” In that chapter the writer refers to the
Roman Pontiff as only inferior to Christ, the highest Pontiff
of all. 1

APPENDIX IV.

THE GERMAN EDITION OF THE “ TRACTATUS APOLOGETICUS.”

This interesting work appeared in small 8vo, paper
covers, at Leipsic, 1782. It states, in the title page, that it
had been translated, on account of its rarity and importance,
from the original Latin into German by Adam Booz. It
extends to 320 pages. A preface of some length and in-
terest has, as a “foreword,” the well-known lines from
Hamlet,

“ There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,

Than are dreamt of in yonr philosophy.”

The preface explains the translator’s motive for the
reprint — the Latin edition had become very rare, and had
been wanting in the folio edition of Fludd’s works. Readers
and enquirers into the high secrets of Nature will not read
the treatise without instruction and enjoyment. It treats
of higher truths. Many circles are passed through in life,
and, when a certain point is reached, lovers of the truth
swing themselves into a better and more complete circle.

The story of the Rosicrucians has commonly been con-
sidered as a secret riddle, or merely an old legend in history
which has given an opportunity for various and wonderful
stories. Many have tried to explain away the story as a
chimera and phantom. But the external certainty of the
order has been declared by Master Pianco in 1781. The.
matter has both an outer and an inner knowledge, and
some are content with the former, and never penetrate to.
the” other. They' only hover round the outside of the

• - : , * pr 144.

258

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

bottle, and never nourish themselves with the contents.
Some are doubtless deceived, like those Freemasons who
went from one false lodge into another. But does it follow
that, though some have been deceived, the whole affair is
as nothing ? This would be both an unphilosophical and
unreasonable judgment. But does the existence of a thing,
then, depend upon its ceremonies ? The misuse of a thing
does not take away from its right use. Mistakes do not
prove that all true knowledge is quite impossible. And,
lastly, there may be real Rosicrucians and Freemasons in
the world, though they have never been received into these
orders, or lodges. The order and the worthy members of it
are to be honoured, not because it builds its deeds upon
the Foundation of Christ, not because a member is called
such, but because he acts so. And if one cannot rise to the
teaching of philosophy, yet he may do the greater Christian
deeds, his heart may be all the better.

All long more after light than darkness. What spirit
does not strive after completion ? What reasonable being
would care to go through life blind ? Who does not prefer
light to darkness ? What wanderer, however pleasant his
path, does not thank him who shows the right way ? We
should struggle against and subdue all in the world that
makes real good less, and scatters the seeds of error which
are dangerous and destructive to humanity.

APPENDIX V.

PORTRAITS OF FLUDD.

“ Robertus Fludd, alias de Fluctibus, Oxoniensis, Medi-
cine doctor, &c.

“ Frontispiece to his ‘ Philosophia Sacra/ Frankf., 1626 ; fol.
“ Robertus Fludd, &c., in Boissard ; 4to.

“ Robert Fludd, Jollain, exc small 4to. This is unlike the
other prints.” 1

The first portrait above-mentioned is that which is
produced in reduced facsimile as the frontispiece to this
work. See further description and a copy of the Latin
verses underneath the portrait, pp. 154-5, hereof. Another

1 Granger, Biog. History of England, ii. 3.

APPENDICES.

259

portrait, not mentioned by Granger, forms the frontispiece
to the " Tractatus Secuncli Sectio Prima ” of Fludd’s
“ Historia.” The volume was printed in 1631. This is a
later portrait than the last, and represents Fludd as an
older man. The face is thinner, and presents a greater
contrast to the massive brow. The top of the head is
nearly bald. The name is given in a running legend round
the oval enclosure. The coat of arms is engraved at the
side, and the same words, in quotation from the Psalm,
issue from a rayed glory containing the sacred name. The
engraver's name is not given. Underneath are the follow-
ing lines : —

Poeona commendent laudentque Machaona prifci,

Iactes Phcebigenam tuque Epidaure tuum.

Nos te Robertvm nostris celebrabimus annis,

Nomina qui gelidis Flvctibvs orsa geris.

Scilicet infando subnixus robore mentis

Describis quicquid cosrnus vterque tenet.

Suauis es ore, grauis, Flvddi, simul arte medendi
Dicendus patriae verus Apollo tuse.

Sit licet Argolicd praecinctus Daphnide Pceon,

Quae datur k Phcebo Laurea, tota tua est.

The last portrait is that on the tomb, now underneath the
tower of Bearsted Church.

It represents Fludd in the doctor’s gown, with an open
book before him. The coat of arms is on a mantle behind
the head, which stands out freely and boldly. We are told
that this monument was prepared by Fludd himself. His
fingers are amid the leaves of a book on a desk before
him. The face is fuller in the under part, and more pleasing
than in the previous picture. It is said that volumes in
stone were carved, eight in number, along the edge of the
monument, but only two now remain. At each side, on a
darker sort of slate stone, is the upright rod and serpent,
the emblem of Esculapius.

APPENDIX VI.

FLUDD AND FREEMASONRY.

There is no evidence to show that Fludd was a Free-
mason. It is not unlikely. A very interesting article,
“ Rosicrucians, their History and Aims,” by Dr Wynn
Westcott (Transactions of Lodge Quatuor Coronati, vii., p.
36, et seq.), may be profitably read in this connection. Mr

260

DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.

E. Conder, junior, commenting on Dr Wynn Westeott’s
very able paper, says : — •" There is one point which may
assist our Worshipful Master, and I shall be delighted if it
does, and it is this : Dr Robert Fludd died, unmarried, 8th
September 1637, at his house, in the parish of St. Catherine,
Coleman Street ; he had previously resided in Fenchurch
Street. As the Masons’ Hall is situated in a lane which
runs from Coleman Street into Basinghall Street, there is a
possibility of Dr Fludd (if a Freemason) having been a
member of the speculative division of the Company, and he
may have attended the Lodge that was held in the Hall of
the Company in his day. Further than this, in an inven-
tory of the Company’s Goods, taken just before the fire of
London, 1660, there is this entry : — ‘ Item : one book of the
Constitutions that Mr Fflood gave.’ I cannot trace the
name of Fflood in the books since 1620 ; of course this Mr
Fflood may not have been Dr Fludd, but rather a simple
operative of the name. Here I leave the question as not
proven.”

In Gould’s elaborate “ History of Free Masonry,” the
whole question of a connection between the Rosicrucian
Society and Masonry in the seventeenth century is discussed.
There can be little doubt that Ashmole and other known
Masons were at least deeply interested in the other body.
They may have been members of both. Such expressions
as “ living stones,” the building of “ a spiritual temple,”
“ working from a centre,” are found in Fludd’s writings.
These argue that the ideas of spiritual teaching in symbolism
from the ordinary building art were realised and appre-
ciated. Further we cannot say. 1

1 Goulcl, iii., p, 111, &c. \ _

Wm. Peace & Son, Tranters, Kir* wall.'-

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Doctor Robert Fludd ( Robertus De Fluctibus) The English Rosicrucian Life And Writings 1902"

See other formats